Palestinians in Gaza are grieving the horrific loss of international activists murdered by Israel, conscious too that their sacrifice has dealt a deathblow to the Israeli siege, writes Saleh Al-Naami It was a long time before Bassem Al-Kafarna's friends and family were able to calm him down after receiving news of Israel's raid of the Freedom Flotilla and the reported death of up to 19 peace activists onboard one of the ships. The vessels were going to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. There was a special reason why Bassem wept hysterically -- he is partially paralysed after an injury sustained when Israel shot a missile into his town of Beit Hanoun two years ago. He yearned for the fleet to reach the shores of Gaza so he can receive an electric wheelchair to help him become more mobile. In fact, the vessels were carrying scores of wheelchairs. Bassem and hundreds of his disabled peers waited on the shore until sunset on Monday, in the hope that some of the ships would arrive so that they could receive the equipment they need to live more comfortably, otherwise denied in light of the siege imposed on Gaza by Israel for more than three and a half years. Not everyone on the beach shore took the bad news well. Another Palestinian with a physical disability also broke down when it became apparent that not a single vessel would reach the Gaza Strip shores. His brother told Al-Ahram Weekly that he had been anxiously waiting for his electric wheelchair for too long, hopeful because it would make his life as a university student easier and end the social isolation imposed by his handicap. He dreamt of going to university with greater ease and not being a burden for his colleagues who assist him to move around. Among those waiting on the shore to welcome the fleet were others who already have electric wheelchairs that need repair and spare parts, which were also expected to be delivered. Eman, 27, from Khan Younis received an electric wheelchair two years ago from one special needs charity. But her chair broke down during an Israeli missile attack on her district during the last war on Gaza. She had hoped to begin using her chair again after replacing some parts that were on the Freedom Flotilla. Her hopes were shattered. Anger spread throughout the Palestinian territories, expressed through a general strike on Tuesday by all Palestinians, to mourn the deaths of the peace activists killed during the Israeli raid. Strike in Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem included all public and private institutions, as well as schools, universities and shops. A wake was held in Gaza to receive mourners for those killed by Israel, where Kawthar Garada -- a Turkish woman married to a Palestinian -- told the Weekly she had "anxiously waited for the fleet to arrive because my brother's friends were going to be onboard. I was eager to see them because I have not seen my family in 11 years, and wanted to meet anyone from my country." Several Palestinian towns and municipalities marked the Israel massacre in different ways. The municipality of Jabalya in northern Gaza renamed one of its major streets Freedom Flotilla. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had always been a hero on the Palestinian street, but Monday's massacre elevated his stature even higher. Erdogan's pictures were hung from cars and walls, and many talked about his growing popularity and standing among Palestinians. Despite the divisions that plague the Palestinian arena, Palestinians were unanimous in condemning Israel's actions. Gamal Al-Khodari, chairman of the Popular Committee for Confronting the Siege, asserted that Israel's actions would not prevent foreign activists from showing their solidarity with Gaza. In fact, the incident would incite them to become more active and increase the number of supporters of the Palestinian people around the world. "We were informed that more solidarity fleets will reach Gaza soon to end the siege, despite Israel's objections," Al-Khodari told the Weekly. "This is a snowball and no one can stop it from gaining momentum." Meanwhile, the decision by Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak to reopen the Rafah crossing to allow humanitarian relief caravans to pass was met with enthusiasm by the Palestinians. They hoped that the move was the beginning of a new chapter between the two sides. Salem Al-Amri who was not allowed to cross the border at Rafah when it was opened recently, couldn't contain his joy because he feels the Egyptian decision could allow him to go back to his university studies in Rabat, Morocco. "I almost lost all hope to finish my degree," he told the Weekly. "I am overjoyed and hope that everyone will make the best use out of Egypt's decision." Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of the government in Gaza, described 31 May as a day of freedom, and demanded that the leaders of Israel are handed over to international tribunals. Haniyeh also called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to freeze negotiations with Israel. "It is illogical that negotiations continue in light of these piracy acts and violations of the most basic international laws and human rights," he retorted, describing Israel's actions as a message to the world. Haniyeh added that the criminal act took place in international waters, "which anyone should be able to travel without being subjected to any danger." He further described the incident as a "media and political scandal that will have repercussions for the occupation. It is a crime committed by the occupying Israelis using brutal force based on a vicious military decision towards these defenceless civilians who are only armed with humanitarian aid that they wanted to deliver to Gaza and its besieged population." Haniyeh addressed seafarers on the Freedom Flotilla, saying, "Whether you reach Gaza or not, are taken hostage or not, you will remain a landmark in the history of humanity. You are a central and important turning point in ending the unjust occupation and evicting occupiers from our land." Haniyeh called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League for the immediate implementation of their decisions to end the siege on Gaza. He stated that the time has come to end the siege for good. "The response to this crime cannot be more words of condemnation and empty speeches," the prime minister urged. "The practical response is implementing the decisions of the Arab and Muslim resolutions to end the siege." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a state of mourning and lowered the flag in protest of what he described as "the Israeli massacre". Speaking to Palestine Television, Abbas said: "What Israel undertook is a compounded attack. It killed those who are helping the Palestinian people in Gaza who are under siege from Israel." But Abbas paid no heed to calls to freeze talks with Israel in response to the "criminal act". Instead, he made do with sending a delegation representing the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Fatah's Central Committee to Gaza. Palestinian businessman Moneeb Al-Masri announced that Abbas had asked him to personally head a delegation of senior Palestinian leaders to Gaza to seal a conciliation deal. "We must achieve reconciliation amongst ourselves and forget previous hurt for the sake of Palestinian unity and the future of the people," asserted Al-Masri. Meanwhile, informed Palestinian sources stated that most faction representatives who attended a meeting for Palestinian leaders on Monday evening opposed continuing indirect talks with Israel. At the same time, Hamas was sceptical of Abbas's move to send a delegation headed by Al-Masri to Gaza, saying it was only for show. "All Fatah's movements are insincere and do not address core and real issues," according to Hamas Spokesman Fawzi Barhoum. "A delegation from Ramallah will not solve the problem because they have visited us before in Gaza and Syria and it amounted to nothing." Barhoum told reporters that, "Fatah can offer a lot more than a visit to end divisions, because it holds 90 per cent of the power to reach reconciliation. It should release political detainees and end media and security escalations targeting Hamas, in order for us to believe these expressions of solidarity with Gaza." He continued that his group was more interested in the content of the visit and not just appearances. "We are dealing with conciliation as a strategy to strengthen the domestic Palestinian front," he explained. "There is a difference between the positions taken by Hamas and those of Fatah." He added that Hamas is adamant to reach reconciliation and force Fatah to agree to it in order to end divisions. Barhoum dismissed Abbas's reaction, saying, "worse has happened in Gaza, such as the war on Gaza, but the official Palestinian reaction to that was tepid. They even prevented the Palestinian masses in the West Bank showing solidarity with their brethren in Gaza. Today, the same thing is happening. The regime in Ramallah is not offering anything new." Yasser Al-Wadiya, head of the coalition of Palestinian independents, stated that his group is in contact with Palestinian factions and players to convince them to make the visit a success and immediately close Palestinian ranks, in order to create a strong response to the Israeli massacre of foreigners standing in solidarity with the Palestinians. Leading Hamas figure Salah Al-Bardawil called on Abbas to stop coordinating with Israel on security and negotiation issues, as well as the detention of resistance activists in the West Bank, "before an initiative to bring Fatah leaders to Gaza for reconciliation talks is announced." "There isn't much time for initiatives and manoeuvre visits," stated Al-Bardawil. "We have tried these deceptive visits before and the shuttle trips that end with one phrase: 'Sign the Egyptian proposal'." Despite the pain wrenching the hearts of the Palestinians after the massacre, they are hopeful that the siege of Gaza will collapse soon as a result of Monday's events.
