Saturday August 21, 2010

I've Been Thinking:

On Sunday a ship is set to depart from Lebanon stockpiled with aid for Gaza. The ship is called the Mariam, the Arabic name for Mary mother of Jesus.

The Mariam is supposed to have only Christian women aboard. The intention of this voyage is to break the Israeli blockade. Really, it is a serious propaganda and public relations ploy. The hope is that the Christian angle will call a lot of attention to this mission.
Cyprus has already declared that the ship is not welcome. They Cypriots said that if the ship does set sail they will arrest the passengers and send them back to Lebanon. Cyprus understands exactly what is happening.

The government of Lebanon was asked to stop this ship but as of now, has remained silent. Unlike the Turks, the Lebanese government has not supported, condemned or prevented the ship from departing. This is like walking a thin tightrope.

Israel sees this voyage by the Mariam as a provocation and has warned that it will respond in kind. Tensions are rising.
We must monitor this situation carefully - it clearly has the potential to explode.

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