MWA Joins International Advocates Calling for Safe Passage of Gaza Flotilla Cargo and Crew

May 30, 2010 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON, D.C. (MWA) – Join Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) in contacting President Obama, members of the U.S. Congress, and the Israeli Embassy nearest you, in calling for the immediate support and protection of the Flotilla of cargo ships currently carrying more than 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza.  Below is the letter delivered by MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz:

To whom it may concern:

I write today individually and in my capacity as Founder & Director of Muslimah Writers Alliance, an internationally-based collaboration of Muslim women working together to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions regarding members of the Muslim community and the Islamic faith.

My letter is perhaps one of thousands you may receive over the next few days as a Flotilla of cargo ships carrying upwards of 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid, sails toward Gaza with hundreds of passengers and crew hailing from 50 or more countries.

News sources continue to assert that the Israeli government has threatened to stop the Flotilla by force, thereafter arresting and deporting all passengers.

A statement released earlier today by Flotilla organizers via Cyprus indicated that, indeed, in international waters off the coast of Israel, the convoy of cargo ships has been contacted by the Israeli navy. Suffice it to say, the threat to civilians aboard the Flotilla should not only be taken seriously – it merits your undue attention and imminent support.

The catastrophic humanitarian crisis created by the illegally imposed Israeli siege on Gaza continues to adversely affect in excess of 1.5 million people.

A United Nations Development Program report published earlier this week asserts that nearly three-quarters of the damage caused by Israel's winter 2008-9 military offensive in Gaza had not yet been repaired. And a report by the United Nations humanitarian coordinator blamed the blockade for "suffocating" the agricultural sector in Gaza and said that insufficient food was now a problem in more than 60 percent of households.

The time has come for the world to stand up and say, "Enough Is Enough".

I am writing to ask you to do everything possible to prevent Israel from using military force to launch an attack or naval blockade on the Flotilla and its peaceful, unarmed, international citizens. Will you add your voice to this appeal to ensure their safe passage into Gaza?

Awaiting your response,

Aishah Schwartz
Founder & Director Muslimah Writers Alliance
Washington, DC

Here's how you can help!

Send a letter to President Obama asking him to withhold U.S. aid to Israel until it agrees to abide by international law, including lifting of the blockade on Gaza. Deliver your letter via fax to (202) 456-2461. Alternatively, and respectfully, you can also voice your concerns by calling (202) 451-1111.

Contact your U.S. Representatives and let them know you are counting on them to stand up for justice. Find your Representative at http://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml.

Let President Obama and Congress know unconditional aid and support of Israel must end; and the embargo on Gaza must be lifted.

But don't stop there!

Contact the Israeli Embassy nearest you and let them know how you feel! (Israeli Embassy locator http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-of/Israel.

"As one of the returning 86 delegates who entered Gaza (Dec. 30, 2009-Jan. 2, 2010), I can attest to the fact the humanitarian crisis is far from over and the Gaza Freedom Flotilla's cargo must be allowed to reach its final destination; Gaza can't wait," stated MWA Director, Aishah Schwartz.  

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Established in 2006, MWA is an internationally-based collaboration of Muslim women writers and advocates working together to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions regarding members of the Muslim community and the Islamic faith.
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Muslimah Writers Alliance
1808 Eye St., N.W., Suite 147
Washington, DC 20006

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Established in 2006, MWA is an internationally-based collaboration of Muslim women writers and advocates working together to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions regarding members of the Muslim community and the Islamic faith.