The Audacity of Dopes: US Boat to Gaza training in Greece

The US Boat to Gaza "The Audacity of Dopes" has been publishing photos of their indoctrination, er "training" in Greece as they prepare to set out on their Mediterranean cruise. Is someone really planning on bringing an infant on this?
To use a child as a human shield or even to simply exploit an infant in an action like this is unconscionable, yet, strangely familiar.




It is interesting that what the US Boat to Gaza considers "non-violence training" involves hand to hand combat techniques:

Gaza Flotilla Publicity Blueprint. Time to counter

The leaders and organizers of the Flotilla have long admitted that their goal has never been to bring humanitraian aid to Gaza (After all, the Palestinians get more aid per capita than other other people in the world, and have little use for the expired medicine and mismatched shoes carried by the flotilla). Its a provaction and a publicity stunt.

The organizers of the US Boat to Gaza (ustogaza.org/latest/u-s-boat-to-gaza-emergency-response-plans/ ) have including this blueprint for handling publicity during the flotilla. Pro Israel groups should use this as a way of organizing a counter-response:

Elements of your emergency response plans

1) Public protest activities

The goal is to be as visible as possible – both to the public generally and to the media.
As a local organizer you will know the best place to ask people to gather. Possible places include:
- Israeli consulate or other agencyU.S. federal building
- well-trafficked, major intersection
- major transportation hub
Think about what time of day will be easiest for large numbers of people to come out, to get media coverage and for the largest number of people to see your activity.
2) Media work

Be sure to have a list of media outlets and reporters in your area ready ahead of time.
Inform the media of any public activities and protests you are planning.
Monitor your local media to see if they are covering the story, and if so how. If they are not covering it, or not covering it well, call them!
Ask people to write letters to the editor and to call into radio talk shows.
The aim is to make sure the story is being covered, and being covered accurately!
3) Pressure on the Israeli and U.S. government

It will be important that both the Israeli government and the U.S. government hear from as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.
Calls, email messages and faxes should go to the U.S. government: the State Department, the White and to your own Senators and House Representatives.
Calls, email messages and faxes should also go directly to the Israeli government.
By Saturday, June 18th we will have more detailed contact information posted on our website….please be sure to check back then.

Mama, they're not making Anarchists like they used to: Application process for the UC Boat to Gaza: the Audacity of Hope

They aren't making anarchists like they used to. Did you all get your 4 page application to be a passenger aboard the US Boat to Gaza, the "Audacity of Hope"? What do you think of the invasive personal questions they ask? Many of these would be illegal to ask on any application in America. Applicants are asked specifically to identify their ethnicity, race,religion, and sexual orientation.

The part that really got to me, though was that the form needs to be signed and notarized before it's sent back to the Bearsville, NY Post Office box.

Do you think the IHH members from the Mavi Marmara were also asked about their sexual orientation?

I can't help but wonder if the questions on identity and sexual orientation relate to the recent controversy on sexual abuse of international activists in the Palestinian territories. Its worrying the haters, judging by the "help wanted" they distributed:

Their email:

We are in need of volunteers to join us this winter and spring as we struggle to end the Israeli occupation in all its forms and to promote justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people. We have a wide range of programs lined up for the next few months, and are in need of dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers to help make our goals a reality...

Our Principles:

All internationals agree to respect traditional Palestinian culture. For example, internationals will dress appropriately (long-sleeves, no shorts or skirts, loose-fitting), not engage in sexual activity, drink alcohol or use drugs while volunteering with PSP.
We agree to respect each other at all times. We as internationals agree not to act in racist, sexist, homophobic or xenophobic ways, even if we encounter these behaviors within Palestinian society.


Interesting. Very interesting.

If you always wanted to be the next Rachel Corrie, write to "US to Gaza" Po Box 373Bearsville, NY 12409. And be sure you have a notary lined up. Thats a good anarchist.