The Free Gaza Movement is scheduled to send a second boat to Gaza containing containing minimal medical resources and several well known international personalities. To what level will this further the issue of human rights in the Palestinian territories?

1) The Palestinian-based Independent Commission for Human Rights noted in its September report that conditions had seriously declined in the territories:

• 38 citizens lost their lives needlessly, including 6 in acts of revenge. Details are provided of the incidents.
• Torture – both in Gaza and in the West Bank – continues by local security services, and in breach of the Penal Code.
• Lawful demonstration is difficult….and so the list goes on. 

2) Gilad Schalit, an Israeli corporal kidnapped by Hamas, has yet to receive a single Red Cross visit in over 800 days of captivity. This is in stark contrast to each and every one of the very many Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons.

3) Tunnel smuggling continues, as reported by several elements of the western media. There is little protection for the under-age children building the tracks. There is heavy emphasis of devoting resources to the imports of drugs and armaments.

It is to be hoped that the “boat people” will highlight these stories when they docked. The reality will probably be otherwise. Is this Gaza movement sincerely interested in a true peace for the Middle East or a one-sided sectarian solution?