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The view from the boat / 'Ordinary people can do something' By Ofri Ilani Tags: Gaza Strip Haaretz spoke last night by phone with Jeff Halper, an Israeli professor who was among the activists who sailed to Gaza. "We proved that ordinary people can do something and succeed," he said. "Even Tony Blair can't go to Gaza, but ordinary people with drive can. The welcome was amazing. There were tens of thousands of people. People came out in boats and on windsurfers to meet us. Children swam out to sea and flashed the victory sign. I feel like we're fresh air entering a prison where a million and half people are living. "I tell myself: We're in the modern world, the 21st century, and yet such excitement - over what? Over something we take for granted, that two boats arrived. Here it's a national holiday. Their isolation is so complete," he said. Advertisement Halper said that Gazans were eager to speak Hebrew with him, and to reminisce about the years they spent working in Israel. "Our impression that Gaza is Hamas, that there is only hatred there, is mistaken," he said, adding that he learned that "we are more of an obstacle to peace than the Palestinians." Bookmark to del.icio.us   McCartney in Israel The former Beatles lead singer announces his plans to perform in Tel Aviv next month. Next big invention U.S. entrepreneur makes aliyah to take advantage of Israeli innovation.   1.   Windsurfers? You brought them sport supplies I wish 12:55  |  Alain 24/08/08   2.   My respects to you brave people 13:41  |  www.kibush.co.il 24/08/08   3.   How come Jeff Halper is so 13:46  |  rich 24/08/08   4.   Gaza 14:07  |  Renny 24/08/08   5.   The good old days 15:17  |  Ofer 24/08/08   6.   Cage 16:29  |  Jaap Hamburger 24/08/08   7.   Nobody outside Ha`aretz cares 16:53  |  Gershon Reed 24/08/08   8.   the shame I feel.... 17:19  |  Susanna Vorst 24/08/08   9.   # 8 your sympathies are for crocodiles 17:33  |  Chafeeka 24/08/08   10.   UN says no shortage of food in Gaza 21:52  |  Jane Colon 24/08/08   11.   Gaza in the news 22:28  |  Jaap Hamburger 24/08/08

Read & React Islamic Jihad urges Palestinian groups to kidnap Israeli soldiers Responses: 48 Arab League chief praises activists who challenged Gaza siege Responses: 201 Israel's missile shield against Iran: Three Americans in a trailer Responses: 63 Natasha Mozgovaya: Obama played it safe, but is Biden good for Israel? Responses: 82 Haredi rabbis: Renew ban on Jews entering Temple Mount Responses: 43 More Headlines 02:58 Gov't passes 2009 budget after Olmert threatens to resign 23:01 Iran-bound passenger plane crashes in Kyrgyzstan, 70 dead 00:12 Police search for missing girl in 'one of the most shocking cases in Israel's history' 00:12 Police close Islamic institute suspected of aiding Hamas 01:35 Gilad Shalit becomes punchline for jokes in the Gaza Strip 00:37 Interfaith gathering kicks off U.S. Democratic Convention 18:17 Nasrallah: Hezbollah's next victory over Israel will be indisputable 13:27 Israel to free 199 jailed Palestinians on Monday 22:22 Son of Nazi doctor seeks to donate father's money to Holocaust education 15:26 Arab League chief praises activists who challenged Gaza siege 08:36 Israel's missile shield against Iran: Three Americans in a trailer 21:56 Daughter of woman accused of severe child abuse: My mother is a righteous woman Previous Editions Select Day 24 aug 22 aug 21 aug 20 aug 19 aug 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug 11 aug

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