A group from New Orleans traveled to the Gaza Strip in June 2009 to document, witness and talk with people affected by Israel's massive attack in December 2008 and January 2009 on this 140 sq mile section of land bordering Egypt and Israel/Palestine.
A group from New Orleans traveled to the Gaza Strip in June 2009 to document, witness and talk with people affected by Israel's massive attack in December 2008 and January 2009 on this 140 sq mile section of land bordering Egypt and Israel/Palestine.
Six people from the delegation gave an impressive presentation at Community Book Center (Broad & Bayou) in the 7th Ward on Tuesday July 14. The presentation, including a film and slideshows, ranged from the very personal, unique reactions and stories from this particular trip to the political analysis of why and how the prison-like conditions of the Gaza Strip continue six months after the devastating bombings that killed a majority of women and children. Buildings were targets as well, though much of what the delegation saw were destroyed hospitals, schools such as the American International School in Gaza, and event the Palestinian Parliament building that has left legislators to meet in a large tent in the shadow of its office's ruins.
In a further escalation of the intentional tragedy, Israel and Egypt, with the support of the United States, are preventing Gazawegians from rebuilding by not allowing many necessary building materials to get across the various border checkpoints. The prohibited materials include cement or types of wood, for instance, but also items such as children's toys.
Jordan Flaherty, a journalist for Left Turn magazine and organizer, introduces the first draft of an eight minute film about the delegation's trip that he narrates and Lily Keber shot and edited.
Among many other titles and attributes, Emily Ratner is now the director of the New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival. She is also Jewish.
This section deals with the following issues: What has happened to various parties in Palestine? Including the Peoples Front for the Liberation of Palestine. How do the tunnels from Gaza to Egypt work? How are the Palestinian fighter groups getting weapons?
This section includes these topics: Why is Egypt not allowing materials into Gaza? What happens to aid that is sent? What is happening to farm land? Is there dissent among Israeli citizens? What is the U.S. role in the attack on Gaza? What do you think of the two-state solution? WHY is the U.S. supporting Israel so much?
This was a sheet of paper handed out at the event, with lots of websites, articles and photos to find. It includes some of the delegates own documentation.
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