From Newsgroup: nz.politics

The Sumud Flotilla (with Greta Thunberg on board) is getting closer to
Gaza <https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/21/dispatch-from-the-sumud-flotilla-sailing-into-yellow-zone-en-route-to-gaza>.

What to do when (not if) Israeli soldiers board and start beating them
up?

In the training, a coordinator tells the gathered group: rCLWe have
to decide collectively whether we will react or whether someone
should intervene if soldiers begin to beat one of us.rCY

The question was met with silence but could not be avoided.
Holding a bullhorn, the coordinator took the initiative.

rCLIf I am dragged or beaten, I donrCOt want any of you to react or
tell the soldiers to stop. Please respect my decision.rCY

The bullhorn was passed around. One by one, the volunteers
repeated the words. By the third volunteer, the phrase had been
reduced to two words: rCLthe samerCY. All the volunteers echoed it.

The strategy was conceived to prevent further violence. Any
reaction rCo even asking Israeli soldiers to stop rCo could provoke
them to more violence.

One volunteer summed it up: rCLIf you react or speak up while being
beaten, you will not only put your own safety at risk but also
that of the others rCo and you will break the will of the group.rCY

What kind of state is it that sees nonviolent, peaceful, unarmed
protest as as great a threat, or even more of a threat, than actual
violent action?

Certainly not a freedom-loving, democratic state.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: nz.politics

On Sun, 21 Sep 2025 22:45:24 -0000 (UTC), I wrote:

The Sumud Flotilla (with Greta Thunberg on board) is getting closer to
Gaza ...

And has suffered over a dozen attacks from unknown sources, presumably
by drone, so far. Israel hasnrCOt come out and admitted responsibility,
but who else has the motive? Seems itrCOs only a matter of time before
somebody gets seriously hurt or killed.

Now Italy and Spain have jointly decided they have had enough, and are
sending actual warships to help protect the fleet <https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/25/italy-spain-send-navy-ships-to-protect-gaza-flotilla-after-drone-attacks>.

rCLTo ensure their safety, the [Italian] foreign ministry had
already notified Israeli authorities that any operation entrusted
to Israeli forces must be conducted in compliance with
international law and the principle of absolute caution,rCY the
ministry said in a statement.

This is pretty impressive. Will Israel dare to attack them?

To repeat what I said before:

What kind of state is it that sees nonviolent, peaceful, unarmed protest
as as great a threat, or even more of a threat, than actual violent
action?

Certainly not a freedom-loving, democratic state.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: nz.politics

On Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:59:53 -0000 (UTC), I wrote:

Now Italy and Spain have jointly decided they have had enough, and are sending actual warships to help protect the fleet ...

Spain, of course, has long been a critic of IsraelrCOs actions.

Italy is a bit of a surprise, though: we were led to think of Georgia
Meloni as a right-wing leader, maybe even far right, but some of her
actions since taking office have been, shall we say, a bit more moderate
than that. True, she has criticized the Sumud Flotilla as a foolish
action, but instead of leaving her compatriots on those boats to their
fate, her Government has sent out a warship to keep an eye on them.

A right-winger with compassion? WhorCOdrCOa thunk it ...
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2