Politics | 12/30/2008 10:15 am

Cynthia McKinney, Others, Turned Back From Gaza Mission

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Cynthia McKinney loves a good challenge.

The forrmer congresswoman, who this year ran for president on the Green Party ticket, attempted to sway Barack Obama and the world yesterday when she and 16 others attempted to deliver medical supplies to the Gaza Strip, which Israel has been attacking for the past four days. The activists, organized by Free Gaza Group, announced their trip a few days ago, but were turned back yesterday by an Israeli military boat. Fox News provides the adventurous details:

… McKinney, unimpeded by the "closed military zone" imposed by Israel, was among 16 people aboard a medical supply boat that collided with an Israeli naval ship Tuesday as it tried to enter coastal waters around Gaza.

The yacht, owned by the U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement, was reportedly carrying 3.5 tons of medical supplies donated by Cyprus. A press release from the group claimed "several Israeli gunboats intercepted the Dignity; she was heading on a mission of mercy to Gaza." They said the Israeli military fired machine guns into the water in an attempt to stop the Dignity’s progress.

Israeli officials admitted "physical contact" with the boat, but say they only took such measures after the yacht failed to heed its radio warnings. McKinney and the others were then sent on their way back to Lebanon, from whence it came. They will reportedly make another attempt.

Read more about: Barack Obama, Cynthia McKinney, Cyprus, Gaza, Israel, News, Palestine, War

235 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Re your post of all the Jewish people in media, it wasn’t the facts that got that post deleted it was your underlying message that peppered that post that got it deleted.

By Catherine Kaiman on 01/04/2009 1:49 pm

e-mail alert

Char, your pilot post never disappeared from my screen. Perhaps you had a momentary tech glitch, and if you think this website blows, then you should really try living in Sedrot Israel, that really blows. Those dang pesty terrorist rockets that disturb the peace.

By Catherine Kaiman on 01/04/2009 2:30 pm

e-mail alert

“US” I am not an American, I can’t answer that for you. No Andrea Mitchel is not an anti semite, she didn’t spew hatred, that to me is the difference.

By Catherine Kaiman on 01/04/2009 1:20 pm

e-mail alert

Yonatan Shapira is a former captain in the Israeli air force reserve & is from a military family—father, brothers in military. In 2003, he began a group of Israeli AF pilots who refuse to fly attack missions that might risk civilian populations & be war crimes in the Palestinian territories. Called “Combatants for Peace”, his brother refused to serve in the Israeli forces & was sent to jail. Yonatan sees this as “uneccessary bloodshed”, & “not in Israel’s best interests”. Many who refuse are sent ot jail—but he says most are just let go without making it into a big deal—(perhaps so it does not become a huge story). In 2003, it was 160 who refused & were sent to jail & more were let go. Yonatan said “There are many reasons people support the war. Mostly they are fear-stricken by the institutions. They don’t get all the information—the media is very, very biased (in Israeal). They don’t see what you can see in New York. They see only what the Israeli military propaganda & the Israeli govt wants them to see. And its very sad.” He spoke of a demonstration of 10,000 people—Arabs & Jews together—who demonstrated for peace in shouting together that they refuse to be enemies. He said at least 2 Israeli fighter pilots deliberately missed bombing targets because they were concerned they were being ordered to bomb civilians. Yonatan said, “Pilots cannot trust the system. And its a sign that maybe some of them will speak out to the world to help stop the war.” He said, “It is not easy to be against it here”. Yeah Yonatan, tell me about it….its not easy here either…

By Char Star on 01/04/2009 11:59 am

e-mail alert

It is Israeli law that each citizen (with few exceptions) serve in the military in some fashion. Surrounded by hostile enemies, it’s no wonder Israel has this law. If someone chooses not to abide by the law they go to jail, like in any country. At least the Israeli’s don’t recruit their citizens to become human shields, like Hamas does to the Palestinians. The greatest enemy to the Palestinians is Hamas, that’s a fact.

By Catherine Kaiman on 01/04/2009 1:25 pm

e-mail alert

Catherine, you nailed every one of the points and hit it out of the ball park, that’s a homerun in my book!

By HA BIBI on 01/04/2009 2:14 pm

e-mail alert

Thank you Elaine. And if I may, while I have your attention, I want to apologize to you for some of the things I said to you when we had our “disagreement”, awhile back. Some of my comments did cross the line and I am sorry. I am big enough to admit when I am wrong, and while I disagree with you on certain things, I could have dealt with it better. Thank you , just needed to get that off my chest.

By Catherine Kaiman on 01/04/2009 2:37 pm

e-mail alert

Catherine, your apology is more than accepted and appreciated. I realize that the woman of WoW are very passionate about their beliefs on matters and it is something that I think we all, for the most part, are trying to accept graciously. The key in doing so, is that although we may not always agree, we respect each others rights to post our thoughts, beliefs and opinions and if we all do so, we can readily enjoy the conversations. Thank you again Catherine, I look forward to dialog with you. :)

By HA BIBI on 01/04/2009 4:20 pm

e-mail alert

Hey Elaine…..And, here it is only the 4th day in January, 2009! What a way to start the New Year! I just happened to come on here today (after watching more bowl games then I can count) and thought it would be a slow day. Catherine, I have just finished reading the entire content of this subject. Just want you to know — I stand behind you 100% — and, I agree with Elaine. “We respect each other’s rights to post our thoughts and beliefs” —however, when it comes to the name calling and the insults — it does become, at least for me, a bit difficult to practice “gracious” hospitality to those who wish to inflict their “always right” philosophy on others. Chin up!!!

By Lady Gator on 01/04/2009 4:46 pm

e-mail alert

Hi Lady G, Hope your holidays were wonderful and although I hate to admit it, I’m not a follower of College ball but do know, you love those Gators, so with that I’ll ask you how they did? Hope they won! I’m doing well to keep abreast of Pro ball and rooting like a fool over my Vikes. Ha! all I want is for one more Super Bowl out of em before I die or get to old to see it happen, LOL. Yes, that is my hope that folk’s on here will allow others to post their comments without all the BS attacks. What I find funny, is no one wins a new Mercedes for being right. So I don’t get why they feel it so all fired important to attack others that don’t agree with them or have opposing veiws. I’ve always felt, that I never cared wether someone agreed with me or not, as my purpose here is not about looking for approval. I only care about putting my thoughts and beliefs out there. And if they open someones eyes to a different way of thinking, then great and if they don’t, well, that’s great also. Unfortunately, so many on here find there self worth determined by the number of those that find agreement with them, as is evidenced in their postings. Then there are those who have wonderful spirits and are a joy to converse with……Like you Lady G! :)

By HA BIBI on 01/04/2009 6:39 pm

e-mail alert

Elaine….The Gators will play Oklahoma for the National Championship on Thursday, January 8. So we are still awaiting our game. Just watched the Vikes and the Eagels play. Sorry the Vikes lost! I guess I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the Vikes after living in Minneapolis for a couple of years. Or maybe I should say “freezing” in Minneapolis! I so loved the people there. So warm and friendly. Sorta helped to melt the snow! One of my roomies was Swede she lived up on the Iron Ore Range around Keewatin — do you know where that is? She took me home with her one fourth of July — big parade, etc. I remember that the only sober people in town that day were the little kids on the floats. :) However, I did meet a really good looking guy —went to the U. of Minn. Had several dates with him but it was not to be. He couldn’t handle my schedule and was jealous of all the men I encountered daily. (Is that a laugh or what)? Don’t know about you but I NEVER dated any males from my airline. I had a wise old captain who told me “If you want to make this a great career, don’t poop where you eat”. I remembered that! :) As to the WOW site — I came on here because it sounded interesting. A chance to talk to other women about being a woman — you know just like you talk to your friends — you laugh, you discuss, you disagree —but you remain friends. Name calling, especially for women, is rather demeaning — And, as you know, there aren’t (or maybe I should say hasn’t been) a lot of support from some on a few issues. However, I have no problem with that, I just hate the name calling and the petty tongue wagging. And, of course, the “prove it” remarks — just irritates me. :) Fortunately, there are several ladies that do have wonderful spirits and are an absolute delight to converse with. That would be you! Happy flying in 2009!

By Lady Gator on 01/04/2009 7:38 pm

e-mail alert

Hi Lady G, yep the old Vikes lost, Darn, oh well I’ll survive another year, LOL. And you are so right, I too never dated on the job, Plenty of opportunity…You know those Pilot’s, LOL. And the ones with the flesh colored wedding bands….What a riot they were! Actually, never spent alot of time in MSP, pretty much a pit stop and on the way to elsewhere. But yes, did find the people to be rather kind and friendly. My daughter dated a boy from there and I just loved him, such a sweetheart. Also loved his Mother and father, they were wonderful and fun people. I still call him Son. They broke up, but thankfully on good terms and all still stay in touch. Oh boy, don’t get me started on those that annoy me, their nothing more than oxygen thiefs. You too, know who they are, LOL. :)

By HA BIBI on 01/04/2009 10:42 pm

e-mail alert

Thank you Lady Gator. I can admit sometimes I too can get caught up in the “passion” of the moment. My only regret is that I did not apologize to Elaine sooner. As for my “opponent” in this thread, I cannot apologize for my assessment of her character, therefore I don’t. The Israeli/Gaza crisis, is a heartwrenching tragedy for both the Israeli’s and the Palestinians, I understand this and I don’t just throw my support behind Israel because I am married to a Jewish man, I certainly don’t think Israel should delay humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza, however they must be mindfull of the safety of those delivering aid, which is what I believe they are doing. They have been criticized in the past for humanitarian aid workers and reporters being killed in Gaza, so I can’t say I blame them for taking whatever steps are required to prevent that from happening again. This thread has left me exhausted both mentally and spiritually. When my husband is used in an attempt to insult me, I will freely admit it strikes me to my core, as my husband possesses a loving, gentle, compassionate soul. Then there was challenging the blatant hate I felt from my “opponents” words, directed not just at me, but a people as a whole. Therefore, I will no longer participate in debate with this person, regardless of whatever else she has to say about this issue. Elaine, Merrell and Lady Gator, I sincerely thank you for your support.

By Catherine Kaiman on 01/04/2009 7:50 pm