Palestine: Public letter to the three Canadian internationals

To: neish@victoria.tc.ca

Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 4:11 PM

Subject: Public Letter to the three Canadian Internationals

Keven Neish

Dear Kevin,

Warm fraternal greetings from Halifax. I hope this e-mail reaches you. I am enclosing the introduction and two resolutions approved unanimously by the Halifax Rally on the Global Day of Action on 5 June 2010.

Facts: What is the blockade of Gaza?

From a leaflet published by the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Palestine, Halifax, June 9, 2010

Passengers’ accounts of Israeli assault

From a leaflet published by the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Palestine, Halifax, June 9, 2010

Lies of the Chronically Horrid – ‘Moulding the facts’ to disinform

Part of a series of articles on the perfidy and disinformation of the HalifaxChronicle Herald newspaper

Subject: The facts speak for themselves.

June 8, 2010.

The Editor, The Chronicle Herald.

Dear Editor,

Paul Schneidereit, [June 8], is at it again. His “reading” of the facts, of the Israeli attack on the Free Gaza Flotilla and Israel’s Gaza blockade, contradicts the basic facts, as identified by international and UN observers. He speaks of ‘moulding the facts.’ Yet, he is the one who does it in a great style.

Israel’s media blackout, doctored Flotilla recording condemned

Part of a series of articles on the perfidy and disinformation of the HalifaxChronicle Herald newspaper

Paul Schneidereit is at it again, citing “various videos shot at the scene”:

From various videos shot at the scene, as well as statements made by some of those involved, it seems clear the sixth ship, the Mavi Marmara, carried not just peace activists but individuals who came armed with knives, metal bars and other non-firearms intending to create a violent confrontation.

By the time the battle was over, nine passengers among the ships contingent, all but one Turkish nationals, had been killed, while on the other side at least seven Israeli commandos were injured, several critically.

From the reports I’ve read, there’s little doubt the intention of those aboard the Mavi Marmara was to cause an international incident and they succeeded, spectacularly. – Paul Schneidereit, Halifax Chronicle Herald, June 8, 2010

Here is first-hand information giving far different facts than made available to the readers of the Herald. “Photographers were attacked, and journalists had their video, audio and other communications equipment confiscated. The equipment has still not been returned.” Will Schneidereit, who has been or still is the president of the Canadian Association of Journalists, speak out against the Israeli repression of his colleagues? If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
MEL FRYKBERG, The Electronic Intifada, 8 June 2010

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IPS) – Although Israel successfully controlled news of its deadly commando raid on the Freedom Flotilla during the first crucial 48 hours of media coverage, emerging evidence from witnesses and survivors is challenging the Israeli government’s version of events.

Flotilla: Did Israel deliberately murder civilians aboard Freedom Flotilla?

From a leaflet published by the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Palestine, Halifax, June 3, 2010

War Criminal Netanyahu: Delegation presents Citizens’ Arrest Warrant to Halifax MP Megan Leslie

News flash – June 1, 2010, 4:45 p.m.

A delegation of some 20 Haligonians from the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Palestine delivered the Citizens’ Arrest Warrant demanding the extradition of war criminal Netanyahu to the constituency office of Halifax MP Megan Leslie and Deputy Critic Justice, New Democratic Party, at 12 noon and then held a one-hour public informational picket outside on Gottingen Street.