by Christos Zabounis
Last week, the open review assembly of the March to Gaza initiative convened to assess the Global Sumud Flotilla maritime mission, which attempted to break the Israeli naval blockade last May – unsuccessfully. As was announced, the participants intend to file complaints before international judicial bodies, alleging violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, their unlawful detention in Israel, and the mistreatment they endured during interrogations. The question that arises for those following international affairs is why these volunteers – and many other activists – focus their efforts on this particular part of the world while seemingly overlooking other peoples who are suffering. Consider, for example, the Uyghurs in China, whose women have reportedly been subjected to forced sterilisation in an effort to reduce their population; the victims of the Taliban in Afghanistan; or the persecution of political dissidents in Iran. Why is no similar mission organised there? Why are there no comparable demonstrations on their behalf? What explains this apparent selectivity? Are human rights not being violated in those countries, or do their people somehow suffer less than the Palestinians? Every answer is welcome – if it is offered in the spirit of constructive dialogue.
