Disappointing video. Women walking down some stairs, a furniture store and a clip of a speed boat racing passed. This 80 sec collage of random clips could have been taken anywhere and at anytime and so hardly qualify as “shocking facts.” Even if the video does demonstrate the existence of a mall in gaza, how does this disprove a humanitarian crisis? I lived in Zimbabwe, one of the poorest nations on Earth, where you will readily find dozens of large malls and luxury car dealerships. You want some shocking facts? 75% of gazans rely on handouts, and over half are unable to secure adequate income for basic amenities. If you want to truly educate yourself, why not read this?
You are getting desperate.

re: #1 Lobengula

“…This 80 sec collage of random clips could have been taken anywhere and at anytime and so hardly qualify as “shocking facts.”“

That is the point, of course. While I don’t mean to suggest that life is great in Gaza, I am merely pointing out that the situation is far better than some (i.e., the “flotilla” members who claim to be bringing “humanitarian aid”) would have you believe. The situation in Gaza is, sadly, probably still much better for most people than in many places, including some surprising examples. Did you know that life expectancy is better and infant mortality lower in Gaza than in Turkey (original source is CIA Factbook)?:

[Link: www.factsandlogic.org…]

and I don’t see anyone organizing an aid flotilla to go there.

For some, life in Gaza doesn’t seem so bad at all:

[Link: elderofziyon.blogspot.com…]

As for the article from the International Red Cross, the same author (note name spelling error in the Jerusalem Post - article is otherwise accurate) notes that:

“There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. If you go to the supermarket, there are products. There are restaurants and a nice beach. The problem is mainly in maintenance of infrastructure and in access to goods, concrete for example…”

- Plenty of concrete for new hotels, shopping malls and water parks!

She also states:

“Rocket fire from the Gaza Strip is against international law because it is directed at civilians,” she said. “We conduct confidential or bilateral dialogue with Hamas on the matter. As time passes, the dialogue also develops.”

- Dialogue? Not really, I would say.

She said the Red Cross would continue to seek access to abducted IDF soldier Gilad Schalit – who will begin his sixth year of captivity on June 25 – but stressed that the organization lacked the capability to “force anything on Hamas.”

- Not much progress there either. Five years and the International Red Cross has never met Shalit.

[Link: www.jpost.com…]

Get the idea? The reason there is a blockade is that because without it, Hamas would import more weapons, including rockets, that they would fire at Israel. The purpose of these rockets, let’s be clear about this, is to kill Jews. The fact they have not been very successful at that is not for lack of trying or intent. Don’t believe me? Here is a list of some of the unsuccessful attempts by Hamas to smuggle weapons into Gaza:

[Link: idfspokesperson.com…]

Despite the blockade, living conditions in Gaza by most reports and by most criteria are better than in many places around the world that are not at war with their neighbors and are not under any restrictions at all - including Egypt, right next door. If they want to end the blockade, all they have to do is give back Shalit and try to make peace. I understand that they are not willing to do that, and you may feel that they are within their rights to continue “the armed struggle against the Zionist entity”, but Israel will defend itself and the blockade is part of that defense.

It’s this sort of thing that baffles me.

No matter how you dice it, this convoy is making its way overland through or past some of the worst actual humanitarian crises in the world at this time. Angola? Perhaps? Needs some help?

Does the existence of Angola mean that no one can help Gaza? Of course not. Many organizations and individuals have helpfully assisted the people of Gaza as best they can, and that is a mitzvah. (See “Miles of Smiles Convoy”, and guess why they did not get the treatment of the ‘flotilla’.)

But it is very hard to keep a straight face over some of the lies told about the situation in Gaza, how it came about, and what the impact of it actually is. And it is breathtakingly dishonest when Israel is portrayed as having created this situation for kicks.