European legislators sail to Gaza

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"A boat carrying 11 European politicians has reached the Gaza Strip, breaking the Israeli blockade of the coastal territory.

The politicans - from Britain, Switzerland, Italy and Ireland - arrived early on Saturday on a 20-metre-long ship named Dignity with activists from Free Gaza Movement.

It was the third time the US-based group has defied the siege imposed by Israel after Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, pushing out security forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president.

"This is an historic time as we have European members of parliament going to Gaza to draw international attention to Israel's collective punishment of 1.5 million Palestinians," Lord Nazir Ahmad, a Labour member of Britain's House of Lords and head of the delegation, said.

He described the Gaza Strip as the "largest prison in the world"

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[Kurska]

1. Go ahead and Grandstand

Try shipping actually goods to gaza and see what happens. I do love the fact that israel's national waters can be repeatedly violated with not a peep from anyone, But the fact that Israel dares to send drones into Lebanese airspace to survey Hezbollah is considered a violation of peace.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Lord Nazir Ahmad

Doesn't get out much does he? Perhaps he should visit a real prision, then see if the two compare. Of course, that would interfere with his "truth."

[LeftishBrit]

3. He does 'get out much'; he is a complex character

He is the modern sort of British lord, who was appointed as a result of being a well-known citizen - Rotherham councillor, businessman, community leader - rather than through inheriting a peerage. He is a prominent Muslim: for the most part a voice of religious moderation, and active seeker of peaceful dialogue and bridge-building between Muslims and non-Muslims, but at times a little too influenced by the religious-right (see below).

He has been active in campaigns for reforms in other countries, not just Israel. For example, he is active in seeking mediation and a peaceful solution for the Kashmir dispute (he was born in Pakistan). He also led a delegation of Muslims, representing the British government, to Saudi Arabia, and recommended legislation against religious discrimination, international terrorism and forced marriages. Thus, he cannot be lumped with those who *only* criticize Israel and ignore the problems everywhere else.

He has also said and done a few things that I strongly disagree with: for example, he not only opposed Blair's giving a knighthood to Salman
Rushdie, but accused Rushdie of having 'blood on his hands' as though *he* was to blame for the violence of his opponents.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. Complex or not, it was an idiotic observation.

His use of that sort of propaganda serves no purpose for real reform but simply to inflame hate, bigotry, and ill-will toward Israel. While I am all for reform, I am addressing his remarks and actions as described in this article.

[LeftishBrit]

5. I agree it was a silly remark.

Hyperbole never helps the cause of peace.

Just saying that he has criticized the actions of several governments, though I don't know whether he was similarly hyperbolic.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. Thanks for the info on him.

I hadn't heard of him before, or didn't recall his name.

[Vegasaurus]

7. Hamas won't even sit down with Fatah

It seems that they prefer their self-imposed prison.