The Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement a coalition of more than a hundred multi-sectoral, peace and human rights organizations coming from the grassroots tri-peoples communities in Mindanao would like to add our collective voice to the raging outrage and protests worldwide against Israel’s attack on the Freedom Flotilla in international waters on May 31,2010 and the subsequent arrest of the passengers of the MV Rachel Corrie on June 5,2010.  The attack resulted to the death of nine (9) peace and human rights activists while seriously injuring many others.

The Freedom Flotilla of six ships and the MV Rachel Corrie had for their passengers more than 600 peace and human rights activists coming from more than 40 countries. They were bringing with them much-needed humanitarian aid such as food, medical supplies, equipment, school materials and prefabricated cement to help rebuild the beleaguered Gaza Strip eversince Israel imposed a blockade when the Hamas-led government took power in 2007. This blockade has made Gaza the biggest concentration camp in the world today which deprived its citizens the basic necessities for survival much more for decent living.

 Israeli’s claim of self-defense in attacking the Freedom Flotilla in international waters is hardly believable and justifiable. It just showed the degree of its arrogance as it tries to show to the world that it is beyond the reach of the law that governs civilized world. It even has the temerity to announce to the world that there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza despite the Report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict led by Justice Richard Goldstone on September 2009. The report presents strong evidence that during the war in Gaza,  Israel engaged in war crimes that revealed a pattern of continuous and systematic assault against Palestinian people and land that has very little to do with Israel’s claim of security.

 The Freedom Flotilla is an answer of many ordinary peace-loving citizens of the world who organized the ships and contributed to the bulk of humanitarian materials in an attempt to break the siege on Gaza as the world leaders turned a blind eye to the Genocide being committed by Israel. Its attack by Israel should be a challenge to international bodies, like the United Nations through its United Nations Security Council to stand firm and conduct an impartial investigation and sanctions. Countries of the world should also unite in condemning this atrocities by imposing a Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel.

Let the sad fate of those who died in the Flotilla a challenge to the world’s humanitarian, peace and anti-war movements and all other movements involved in the solidarity campaign to step up our efforts and initiatives. Let us make Palestine our rallying point in the struggle to free all the oppressed peoples of the world.

 Justice to the victims of the Freedom Flotilla raid! Justice, Freedom ,Peace and Dignity to the people of Gaza! We strongly demand, End the siege on Gaza! End the US led support to Israel’s aggression and suppression!

7th June 2010
Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM), Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines