Men taking aid to Gaza
Activists aim to promote peace in the Middle EastBy BILL RODGERS Tribune Chronicle
Article Photos
Two local peace activists were attempting to get medical supplies into Gaza this weekend, just days after a similar mission resulted in 21 people being detained by the Israeli military.
Werner Lange, of Newton Falls, left Saturday for Cairo, where he planned to join a convoy of about 100 trucks organized by the British-based activist group "Viva Palestina." Joining him will be Raed Khatib of Youngstown, a member of the Arab-American Community Center and whose family has roots in Palestine.
The group claims the blockade Israel has on Gaza is inhumane, making things like food, bandages, antibiotics and over-the-counter medication necessary for the survival of some of the 1.3 million people in the region. The Jerusalem Post reported Sunday that if the mission is successful it will be the largest group of U.S. activists to enter the strip since the borders were sealed in 2007. The $1 million in aid was mostly cleared by the Egyptian government, but it was unclear whether the private medical aid would be allowed.
"As a Christian, I am morally outraged with righteous anger the same way as if it were any other ethnic group. ... This is David and Goliath and right now Goliath is smashing David," Lange said at his home last week.
Lange said he and Khatib will meet with about 150 others in Cairo. They will attempt to get in through the Rafah border crossing, which according to the Jerusalem Post, Egypt reopened in late June to allow about 5,000 Palestinians to cross over - some of whom were waiting for medical treatment.
Khatib - whose parents once lived in Gaza- said in a telephone interview that he planned to spend the July 4th holiday with his children.
"It has sentimental background to me. I'm getting excited and emotional just attempting to go there. ... I can't speak about it enough. No one should be subjected to that. I'm looking at it from a humanitarian standpoint," Khatib said.
According to The Associated Press, humanitarian missions have tried to skirt the blockade Israel imposed in June 2007 when the militant group Hamas took control of the territory from its rival Fatah. The most recent article in the AP states that the Defense Ministry in Israel has recommended a slight easing of the blockade as a show of goodwill and as a way to start talks toward freeing a captive soldier. The AP quotes an unsourced report on an Israeli news site that Israel may increase supplies of meat, fish, coffee, tea, soups and canned goods.
The most recent war in Gaza killed 13 Israelis including three Israeli civilians from militant rocket attacks. More than 1,400 Palestinians died after the fighting, which included 900 civilians, according to the AP. Amnesty International said the war killed 300 Palestinian children and hundreds of other unarmed civilians in Gaza. The Amnesty report accused both Israel and Palestinian militants of war crimes, findings which both sides rejected as biased.
Israel has used its military to reject aid missions like the one Lange and Khatib are attempting. According to the AP, a group called the Free Gaza Movement sent a Greek ship dubbed the "Spirit of Humanity" to the region on June 30 to deliver food, medical supplies and olive trees. The Israeli navy, after reportedly warning the vessel, boarded the ship with armed soldiers and detained all 21 activists, who as of Sunday were still in jail. Those detained included activists, journalists, former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire, who according to the BBC was recognized in 1976 for her work to bring peace in Northern Ireland.
A foreign ministry spokesman for Israel said the activists could all be deported as early as Saturday, but the most recent reports from Saturday stated that some of the activists were still being held. No one has been harmed in any of the aid missions the country turned away since the blockade began.
Neither Khatib, nor Lange appeared to be dissuaded by the news last week. Khatib said he doubted their trip would be as dramatic because they were coming through Egypt and the two governments would have the chance to communicate. Lange, a former local minister, said he would lean on his religion throughout the trip.
"I put my destiny and faith in the one who created us and watches over us," Lange said.
Khatib said he wants to see the dispute de-politicized.
"They need to forget religion, racial and political things and look at it as a humanitarian issue," Khatib said.
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PublicPolicy1
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07-07-09 10:21 PM
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LOL. Your great Bob.
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peterfranzen
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07-07-09 7:52 AM
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Hi Sassysue When I mention the "Zionist terrorist state of Israel" I am referring to their terrorist origins and the activities of most of their leaders who came from the West, engaged in terrorist activities and stole land, property and personal possessions from indigenous Palestinians. And also their activities ever since 1948 right up to today. Particularly the deliberate bombing and maiming of Lebanese and Palestinian children to serve as a living example to others not to resist. If that is not terrorism then what is? Best wishes Peter Franzen England
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BobCvengros
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07-07-09 12:07 AM
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PublicPolicy1: You do "NOT" pay Social Security Tax for me, and if you are you had better save for your self. Is this guy a Doctor? If not he has no buisness handling medical supplies. Feed the homeless in America. Oh, sorry he cant do that because somebody else is doing that. He can only do things that arefor himself. He flips around like a fish out of water when discussing issues. Its more than obvious he is just in this for the glory that he will never receive. Should he be taken as a hostage he will be the 1st to cry for American help. Travel restrictions should be in place to stop American travel to the area. There should be enough humanitairian help need in Newton Falls.
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Sassysue
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07-06-09 9:43 PM
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Peter, this is great "Zionist terrorist state of Israel" but not accurate. Palestinians have supported terrorists for years!
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dennie67
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07-06-09 3:35 PM
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You may not like Werner Lange, but the guy stands for what he believes in. I just wonder about all of you, who are beating him down are doing to make life better for anyone.
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PublicPolicy1
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07-06-09 3:21 PM
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1. He's doing a great thing 2. Worry about yourself. 3. The real shame is I'm paying "social" security for you nuckeheads. One Love
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peterfranzen
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07-06-09 11:34 AM
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It’s sad to read the comments that some of you have made. I only hope that you are never invaded and driven out of your homes and off your land and then herded into ghettos like animals. And then bombed into the stone age and your children deliberately maimed with state of the art made in the USA cluster bombs, to serve as a living example to others not to resist. The ethnic cleansing, bombing, slaughter and deliberate maiming of the Palestinian people is a crime against humanity on a par with the most brutal of Nazi crimes. The Israeli blockade of Gaza aided and abetted by the USA, the UK and other Western States, denies the Palestinian people even the most basic of necessities such as food, medicines, blankets, clothing, building materials, wheelchairs and artificial limbs. Those who gloat about the terror that is being inflicted on the Palestinians by the Zionist terrorist state of Israel should remember the Nazi holocaust. Best wishes Peter Franzen England
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pahootaman
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07-06-09 10:50 AM
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Am I missing something here or is this guy going on a humanitarian trip to Gaza a really horrible thing? What's with all the beating up on this guy? Maybe he can tell Israel to get with the program and behave. Geezus, one some palesinians kill some Israelies in combat, so Israel carpet bombs entire cities in retaliation. Lest we forget this Israeli offensive is funded with US tax dollars, but we can't tell them how to spend their funds without us looking like some type of anti semitics.
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TrollingDrones
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07-06-09 8:25 AM
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the bigger fools are,'those that support this loser and his snipe hunting trips.
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Handala
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07-06-09 8:14 AM
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That is OLD fool!
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Handala
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07-06-09 8:13 AM
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At a townhall meeting Lange said Trafficant is a political prisoner the war on terror was immoral and the dismembering of human fetus WAS moral!It is evident the pld fool can't get anything right!Hmm?
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TrollingDrones
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07-06-09 8:01 AM
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Some of the good old christian folks I know,'do kind acts and never tell anyone'...these two,have a need for spotlights and attention.. Hey Khatib,maybe advise your mom,dad,cousins and friends in Gaza,to stop supporting terrorist,throwing rocks,strapping on bombs and hiding behind women and children and....they may stop dying.
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JoeCool
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07-06-09 6:56 AM
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I love when these people start every other sentence with the qualifier, "As a Christian...". Werner is a dil.rod that gives all Christians a bad name.
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MYVIEW
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07-06-09 3:18 AM
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We need Peace here in the United States- people here are hurting and hungry and in need of medicine because they have lost their jobs and can not afford to buy it. 'Charity"" begins at home. Whatever you and your friends want to give will more then likely never make it to the people that need it anyway!
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MYVIEW
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07-06-09 3:15 AM
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We need Peace here in the United States- people here are hurting and hungry and in need of medicine because they have lost their jobs and can not afford to buy it. 'Charity"" begins at home
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Jonathan
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07-06-09 3:07 AM
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You know what you can do with that "peace pole" Werner. When the Hamas terrorists who kidnapped our soldier, Gilad Shalit, release him, we'll lift the blockade. Tell that to your "Viva Palestine" friends.
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BobCvengros
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07-06-09 12:09 AM
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Should you put forth the same effort in America, that you do in the Middle East perhaps you could serve to help our National Health Care Issue.
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