A moment before boarding the next flotilla

The only time this guy is "proud" to say he is Jewish is when it comes to demonizing Israel. He prob grew up in a house with little Jewish customs and knows nothing about Jewish laws or traditions. Just sad!

every generation has its deranged college studehts, ( 1968 weathermen anyone?) so smart, so arrogant, so full of yourselves, .....hope you enjoy your stay in Gaza.

From a moral and human rights point of view I wonder if any of the flotilla participants ever protested and denanunced the massive suicide bombings that were initiated by Hamas against Israeli civilians ? Just a thought. (Btw the people of Gaza were cheering for the suicide bombings, not all but most)

Go and save lives of the innocent Libyans who are getting slaughtered by NATO planes in Tripoli. Obama has killed more people then Qaddafi.

Mr. Schivone who has a nice Irish Catholic name is 27 years old. So he is now an activist more than he is a student. He is of course entitled to his feelings. He is not entitled to bull sh*t about the facts. It is very popular now to criticise Israel--even among Jews and especially among the younger college set (of which he is hardly a memeber). Let me assure you my children go to a Jewish school and Israel is criticized with impunity on teh school's discussion boards. It is absolutley true that Israel's tone deaf policies are so unpopular and Israel's hzabarah so non-existent that even when Israel is correct on an issue rants like his are now acceptable.

One has to wonder where and how Gabriel Matthew Schivone was brainwashed into thinking Jews need to apologize for living. After reading Mr. Schivone's opinions, I wonder where he gets the idea that Israel's actions are 'unethical'. Israel faces deadly rocket attacks from Gaza, where the extremist and racist terrorist organization of HAMAS holds forth with an ideology of death and destruction. Indeed, it was barely three months ago when the group fired a laser guided rocket at an Israeli schoolbus, killing a child and seriously wounding the bus driver. Had the rocket been fired moments earlier, an entire school bus filled with children would have gone up in smoke. Speaking of brainwashing, HAMAS is the same organization that broadcast its TV show "Farfur the Mouse", a Mickey Mouse look alike, pontificating on the joys of Jihad and martyrdom. That Mr. Schivone remains silent in the face of such violence and as he calls it, brainwashing, makes his claim of standing up for 'Jewish values' all the more hypocritical. That he claims that Israel, a state that is defending itself from such attacks as a slave owner, is repugnant, and morally bankrupt. Unfortuantely though, comments such as these are what amounts to, in his world, an apology. Jews, and certainly Israeli Jews, have no need to apologize for refusing to roll over and slit our own throats when people come to kill us. Indeed, our own 'Jewish values' teach us to preserve life, including our own. But rather than stand up for the lives of Jewish children who face repeated rocket attacks from those who brainwash their own children into becoming suicide bombers, he walks away, with the idea that Jews apparently, aren't worthy of the same lives as others. Shameful.

before you go running of an adventure to help a fundamentalist jew-hating entity, who have provided nothing to humanity but hatred and missiles as soon as they have the chance, have you ever done anything of any value to your own people? Postema!

He sounds like he has something seriously wrong with him.

self-righteous moralizing by one of the remaining seven Chomsky fans. It's easy to demand the end of blockade in Arizona, much more difficult in Sderod, it's safe to confront the Israelis (just don't attack the soldiers, OK, and you'll be fine), it's much more dangerous to confront Israel's enemies and demand Hamas and Hezbollah to recognize Israel and stop terror. You are no hero, you are a traitor, there's been jewish traitors like you throughout centuries, all rationalizing their treason by blaming it on the Jews. Nothing new here.

Why do you think that there are so many Jews in Students for Justice in Palestine? Because the Diaspora Jews might just be the only people stupid and naive enough to try to curry favor with the gentiles by condemning their own people! In our past history, Jews knew better than to slander their own in public because the gentiles would just use it to oppress the Jews. If this were 70 years ago Gabriel would have made a good board member on his local Judenrat. Though Gabriel purports to have lofty ideals, personal ambition can never be discounted. This could be good career move for him. Gentiles are always willing to pay up for an Israel bashing Jew. Just look at Noam Chomsky who decided to make a nice living denouncing his own people, once he realized that no one cares about linguistics.

Does this person realise that he is supporting an entity which voted in a government that not only does not and never will recognise Israel but whose charter calls for the death of ALL Jews (including anti-Zionists)? Does he not know that Israel left Gaza in 2005 and got, not peace, but rockets in return? Does he not know that Corp. Shalit was kidnapped by his heroes and is held incommunicado in contravention of international law? Does he even care? Why is his compassion so selective? I'm genuinely puzzled.

There is no advertance, whatever, to the Israeli side of this issue. There is no attention paid to the aetiology of the occupation; the reason why it has existed as long as it has; the continued and formal commitment to the destruction of Israel by Pals; the viscous terrorism that pre-dated the occupation and even the state of Israel. It is not part of the Jewish ethical tradition to ignore material considerations. This young man, I'm afraid, is a dupe.

you appear to be a person enamoured with concepts and having little knowledge about history and the current anti jewish trends. It is nothing new that a jew will endanger his fellow jews for his own comfort, convenience and safety. This is a diaspora trend for centuries and is a trend amongst leftist israeli jews. Where will you run when the US turns "anti zionist" which is the new code word for anti jew. If you knew history you would know that germany was the most liberal country in Europe before the holocaust.

Gabriel Matthew Schivone - you are officially a moron. There is absolutely NOTHING in International Law to justify the Palestinians' "right" to land. Now - that isn't my opinion. Those are the words of Eugene Kontorovich from Northwestern University School of Law. My guess is that he is correct and you are, well, a moron. It's likely you don't know a damn thing about International Law. What's next for you? Nonviolent protests at prisons across the nation due to tough living situations? Will we see you at Guantanamo? Will we see you weeping at the grave of Timothy McVeigh? Are you even Jewish? Have you ever even opened up a Chumash? Do you even know what Judaism is all about? Do you even know what that star around your neck stands for? Do you even know who David was and what he represented? You are a moron.

I was in your shoes, until I left university and discovered a world full of people who hated Israel (and will continue to hate israel even if it wasnt using all this military force). It became my job to criticize and change my country for the better - not join my enemies in bashing it.

I suggest you look at the kind of people you are going to meet if you ever get to Gaza. It won't be the ordinary Palestinian, but those who fomualted the notorius Hamas Charter.

How do these international, peaceniks support themselves? Don't they have proper jobs? or are they fully funded by the EU??

living in America, when was the last time you spoke up for our Native Americans. Yes, for our American Native Tribes and the overwhelming horror they've endured for hundreds of years. Are you at least familiar with Cherokee Trail Of Tears. Do you understand what that was? Do you care? Have you ever visited your Native American brothers and sisters?e Have you ver walked their lands? Spoken to their children? Bon Voyage freedom sailor.

I consider myself to be on the left, & support the creation of a Palestinian state on at least most of the West Bank & all of Gaza, and it's capital in East Jerusalem with additional land swaps to be negotiated. I do however support the blockade, as well as the last war Operation Cast Lead. Why? Because given the opportunity to make something of their lives in Gaza, Hamas & (Iran) chose to launch thousands of rockets, mortars, & anti-tank shells into Israel, AFTER Israel exited the territory. There is no blockade of the West Bank because there are no rockets hitting Israel from there. Just as Arafat didn't use any of the billions of dollars he embezzled from the Palestinian accounts to even build a single playground for children, so does Hamas use most of it's resources to buy weapons instead of medicine & food & other needed supplies. THAT is why there is a blockade. Why don't you come live in a town next to the strip, and lets talk in a year...

Sit down. Shut up. Don't hit a soldier. Otherwise, you're on your own. Israel... Send him home.

The only person that looks brainwashed is the author of this article. Nobody denies the right to criticise Israel, that, as any other state, can make miastakes - even if I can't understand why people usually criticise governments and, when it's about Israel, they criticise not the governement, but Israel as a big entity. It reminds me of something... Anyway, to partecipate to this flottilla is not acting for peace, but just acting as a puppet moved by the usul antisionistic movements that alsways repeat the same slogans against Israel. Why there is not a flottilla to protest against what Syria's gouvernement is doing right now? Why not a flottilla to protest against Hamas gouvernement? It's Hamas that governs there, isn't it?

Your cousin from Texas says it is a shame for the family. we will not be sad if anything happens to you. You are a lost soul, your explanation of why you join the antisemites will distance you from the whole family for ever. thank god a shame on you Matt

'I am one of a growing number of young American Jews who are determined to shake off an assumed - and largely imposed - association with Israel.' this says it all. isn't it easier to convert... btw, the only reason you're doing this is because the odds of getting seriously harmed are low. unless you try to physically harm idf soldiers, of course. any wonder that not too many folks like yourself organize 'field trips' to places where help is really much needed.

Most Israelis would like a two state solution, but we wish to keep historical Jerusalem, Western Wall and Temple Mount within Israel. There is no major demographic issue here, and historically we are within our rights. If you want to create a religion which is purely spiritual not related to this land, you are free to do so. But we see it differently. Oh! and by the way, were where you when Sderot was under rockets for 7 years?

While I sympathize with Mr. Schivone's concerns regarding Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, I note that those concerns are inspired by his commitment to what he perceives as the tenets of Judaism, which speaks well of the principles of tolerance and fairness integral to Judaism. By contrast, did the tenets of Islam ever inspire its adherents to speak out against the persecution of Jews throughout history? Where was the flotilla of Moslems during WWII to help Jews escape the horrors of the Holocaust? I say this not to detract from the merits of Mr. Schivone's convictions, but just to point out the diffeence between the cultures.

So when you visit your birth right land,be prepared to be confronted with the might of YOUR tax dollars,and the best of your ammunitions,hope you bring along some russian armour,or Marxist mentality..you still won't be able to pass

It is easy for wealthy American Jews to play revolutionary or soldier and stand with the enemies of Israel and the Jews, as there is no open war against his type in America....yet. Let him walk through Gaza with that Star of David around his neck, without them knowing that he is "one of them." Let's see how long he lives.

Don't presume to speak for anyone else. You are a handful of loudmouths who mix a combination of naivety about the world and the Middle East conflict, complete ignorance about the sources and historical record of the conflict, and the arrogance to think that you can "change the world": through useless gestures like this one.

Of all the voices speaking about the Israel/Palestine conflict, the extreme right-wing often shout the loudest. It is so heartening to read this and have confirmation that the silent majority is slowly becoming more or a majority and louder. Your path is the path of peace - stick to it.

LIVING IN USA IT IS EASY FOR YOU TO CRITICISE ISRAEL COME AND LIVE AMONG US AND YOU WILL SEE THE HARSH REALITY OF OUR REGION !!LIVING IN ISRAEL IS A BENEDICTION OF GOD AND ONLY BRAVE PEOPLE CAN DO THIS BEAUTIFUL DUTY !!

Narcissists think they are better than others. Narcissists' views tend to be contrary to reality Narcissists are inable to view the world from the perspective of other people Narcissists pretend to be more important than they really are Maybe one day you realize that behind this incapable government of ours, [which had only half of the people supporting it] stands a struggling nation which constantly tries to improve itself. Yes we also started in tents with our bare hands but provide the one tiny little Jewish homeland for all those in need up to this very day, surrounded by never ending Arab hostility. Feel good about yourself by inflating a terrorist group whos main goal is erasing Israel, and who imposes Sharia law on their own people. Back to the dark ages so to say. Feel good to support a group which kidnaps and takes hostage, tortures against all human diginity and tramples International Law by denying Red Cross access... Go on float your boat and feel good.

When Joseph Stalin learnt about the electoral debacle (in 1950) of Clement Attlee, leader of the Labour party (British Prime Minister 1945-1950), Stalin said “what’s a pity… he is a very useful idiot”. (historically documented fact). One can only wonder what Hamas will say the author of this publication. Probably something less politically correct…

unfortunatley your passion and desire to uphold Jewish values are leading you down an extremely slippery path....I applaud your sentiments, however, your knowledge of the facts in the region along iwth the actual conditions on the ground in Gaza are sadly lacking...we all know where good intentions can lead...I wish you luck on your journey

There is one reason Israel still occupies Arab land: Arab refusal, despite comprehensive peace offers by Israel, to make accept Israel's existence. Arab aggression has created Israeli fear which reinforces the settlers. Above all, ?Hamas is a relentless racist aggressor which deliberately targets civilians and schoolchildren, and any weapons brought by ship to Gaza will be used by Hamas against Israeli civilians - yet you wish to stop Israel's right to search ships. non-military goods are freely admitted to Gaza if they arrive at Ashdod port, and the Rafah crossing from Egypt is now wide open-so there is no 'siege' and human rights organizations agree there is no 'humanitarian crisis' there. You are actively aiding terrorists against civilians. take a look at yourself.

This young person is representative of a new generation who are not brainwashed into blind acceptance of Israel (and US support for Israel). As a Jewish Israeli appalled by the policies of my government I applaud him and his fellow students. I wish the flotilla a safe and successful journey.

Everyone knows the altruistic humanitarian intentions of the first flotilla last year. I suppose that you hope that the weapons stash will be on other boats this time, not yours. I guess you even missed the "We Con The World" video; evidently, you have fallen for the con. You should be petitioning Egypt to take care of Gaza. Why do they refuse to lend a helping hand to their own brothers? Because refusal creates the potential for the con. Change course and sail for Egypt.

It is sad that even on university campuses where it would be our hope that students understand the imperative of examining an issue in its entirety, there are students as naive and uniformed as the author of this article. It is the easy way out for middle and upper middle class youth to embrace a knee jerk reaction of humanistic liberalism at the expense of thoroughly understanding an issue.

A beautiful piece from an articulate voice. Good luck on your journey, we are all praying for you and hoping you break the siege and get there safely. In complete Solidarity with you, the Palestinian people and everyone working for true peace

I hope Gabriel finds the truth, whatever it is, and can help solve this mess.

My wish for Mr. Schivone is to expand the movement into a combined Jewish-PalestinianArab voice that advocates a peaceful solution and gives equal-opportunity criticism to those on both sides that oppose it. This will deflect any criticisms of one-sidedness and expose the emptiness of the argument that the only good policy is perpetual war.

Interesting that he doesnt say how this cruise helps anyone anywhere in anyway. There is sparse benfits from these affairs. They certainly don't aid the people he claims to betrying to help. Attention whores that use this conflcit as a crutch are a dime a dozen. I couldn't stop laughing reading his drivel. He sounds like he spends way too muuch time in front of the mirrror.

Gabriel Matthew Schivone, an activist with the "Jewish Voice for Peace" claims that he and his friends are "shifting from blind support for Israel to a more critical position". Instead, he is actually just adopting a remarkably ignorant and uninformed position, embracing the values of Islamo-Fascism and opposing those of the USA and Israel. Schivone claims that his fellow activists hold "cultural or religious values, which include a belief in universal human rights" though these same activists happily ignore Gilad Shalit being held hostage in Gaza, as well as the THOUSANDS of Arabs now being slaughtered by their own governments. So much for "universal human rights". Schivone also tells us that his "dear friend and fellow JVP organizer" remembers a "crude brainwashing" on a trip to Israel. If Schivone and his friends at JVP - the proverbial useful idiots - think that their freedoms of speech, press and information will be better under Hamas rule than in the USA and in Israel, then they have much to learn. If they are lucky, their lesson will be less violent than that of fellow Anarchist Vittorio Arragoni, who was murdered by the very Gazans he was trying to help. Wise up!

. If you're now a humanitarian who cares about other people, then I expect you to be on a flotilla to Somalia and Sudan. I suspect that the problem with that, is you get no attention. No media following your journey, no headline news. Your deeds will go unnoticed and you hate that.

It will be the young people that will bring a change in American's blind support for Israel's occupation and treatment of the Palestinians. The surprise has been how a people so committed to fairness, civil rights and just plain decency could so blindly follow leaders whose conduct flew in the face of principles that all Americans, especially Jewish Americans have so valiantly defended in the past. Mr. Schiavone has so elequently described the pressures that put otherwise fairminded Jews in the camps of the Netanyahoos and Liebermans. --All it takes is that good men do nothing!

"You might wonder what would motivate a Jewish American college student to participate in what may be the most celebrated - and controversial - sea voyage of the 21st century" Not wondering at all -- you said it: Jewish college student. Controversial cruse. What is surprising about this. Alternative summer vacation cruse. Boy it must be nice to be a spoiled American Jew.

...wonder who else's hand got into creating the sweet clear prose here?

Israel has strayed away from real Jewish values, and hence has ceased to be part of real Jewish life. It is only through brave souls such as JVP and J Street that the wind will be taken out of the sails of extremism which are now binding Israel from these values which it was established to protect. Occupation, if not ended justly, will lead to the end of Israel. Is this really what Jews all over the world want?

I sure wouldn't want to be seen standing with people calling for the annihilation of christians and also voting to keep honor killing. It is all about seeing Jews as evil ,regardless of the company they are standing shoulder to shoulder with. This so called solidarity with the people of Gaza- Solidarity with people whose school books teach children Christians are descendants of pigs and apes? So hate the Israelis! Solidarity with people who give out candy to celebrate when a Jewish family is butchered in bed? So hate the Israelis! Solidarity with people who jail people for being gay? So hate the Israelis! Solidarity for a people who democratically voted for a government to liquidate all Jews? So hate the Israelis! Solidarity with people who execute dissenters without trial? So hate the Israelis! Solidarity with people who fire rockets only at civilians targets? So hate the Israelis! Solidarity with people who suppress women's rights. So hate the Israelis! Solidarity with people who burn down UNIFIL camps. So hate the Israelis! Solidarity with people who believe killing a non believer is a ticket into heaven. So hate the Israelis! .

Is there a Jewish voice for freedom for ---- you name it ---North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan ? No. You are not interested in improving the world. Just in rebelling from your community / parents. Spoiled little American Jew.

Meanwhile, Gaza residents have an outlet at Rafah that hardly anyone uses. They can import a broad spectrum of products; their exports, mostly flowers and food, have risen and would be still higher had they not destroyed the greenhouses the Israelis left them in 2005. Gaza'sliteracy rate is First World, food costs less than in"unbesieged" Egypt.The "dire" shortage of electricity, clean water, and cement hasn't stopped them from building and running in the past year 2 new shopping malls full of imported luxuries, 2 new water parks, an Olympic swimming pool, luxurious Palm Village with several pools of its own, the 5-star Movenpick Hotel, and numerous other amenities all scarcely noted by a world press captured by the(sniffle sniffle)"suffering Gaza" meme. Orwell wrote of totalitarian propaganda techniques by which a ruler could induce subjects to believe things that were not only untrue, but known to be untrue. In Orwell's day the mechanism was pervasive fear. As the above essay shows, today the mechanism is the reward of an inflated sense of self-righteousness. The phrase "useful idiot" springs inevitably to mind.

chutzpah, hypocricy and betrayal. there is also a Jewish tradition of humility and shamefulness? to proclaim your "altruism" publicly is beyond chutzpah.Where is your voice on a Jew named Gilat Shalit? why aren't you invoking Jewish ethical tradition on the concept pidyun shvuyin (it means to do everything in ones power to ransom a jew)? Are you sailing to Gaza to demand his freedom? Or do you feel that Jews have a conditional right to live?! At least stand up publicly for your evil act and have the guts to call it what it is without perverting Jewish Tradition.

Regardless of whether one agrees or not with some of Israel's policies, it's ironic that a university student (who is presumed to have a certain amount of intelligence) thinks that using his "influence and power, ........ to actively and nonviolently resist policies" he finds "abominable" , but which in fact support one of the most violent and virulently anti-semitic terror organizations is a noble and worthy action.

birthright brainwashes ? Yes it is pro-Israel ...whats the prob ? should jews educate jews to be anti israel, anti-jewish ? my dear gabriel, arabs are slaughtering each other, shia and sunni muslims slaughter each other, christians are persecuted by muslims.... you think the are going to make love to the Jews ?

An article from a true student - oh- I forgot - we live in a world in which teenage students - with all their worldly knowledge and experience - have solutions to all problems which defy the intellect of more mature mortals! Of course, by acting in the way he intends to, this young American Jew will only make the situation worse both for Gazans and Israelis and - ultimately for the situation of all Jews in the world. If he -and we - are around in twenty years it will be interesting to see his worldview then!

The author overlooks the fact that Israel quit completely Gaza several years ago. It was supposed to be yet another test case to see if the Palestinians could govern themselves. In addition, the Quartet representative at the time forked out almost a million US dollars to buy the greenhouses etc. and leave them on the spot for the Palestinians. Sadly, they have been completely destroyed. And what happened – they fired thousands of rockets and mortars into Israel, and of course Hamas killed and tortured their political opponents.

I am willing to put money on it that Schivone is unaware of some aspects to the conflict that are central to it but have not been exposed to her either because she has not go out of her way to find them out, or she has totally relied on Arab propaganda to form her understanding it, thus making her a useful idiot for the Palestinian cause.

Israel is part of Jewish life. To question Jewish existential connection to Israel (past and present) is to ignore reality. The blockade occurs mostly because Gaza is not part of a state. The path to becoming part of a state (that does not yet exist) is for Hamas to politically yeild to the laws of the Palestinian nation, and not determine to be conveniently part of when they win and at war with when they lose. Their recent break from unity talks ENDS the effort at Palestinian unity, and ENDS the current prospect of a Palestinian state (even with a change in Israeli government, which is possible if Hamas joins the PA in earnest). A blockade of an entity at war is not definitively "illegal" by any stretch. Most Europeans for example accept it, though prefer more liberal border management volume and policies. More liberal border policies is possible with Hamas renunciation of its willingness to shell Israeli civilians (even if it tactically doesn't do that so much in the past few months). The flotilla however IS illegal.

you have no understanding of jewish law. gazans are enemies, not strangers in israel who need to be welcomed. furthermore, the imperative to welcome strangers applies only to those who observe the laws of the land.

The trend will continue to grow - it's inevitable

You are only doing this to call attention to yourself. Nobody is speaking in your name.

on your trip to free the occupied palestinians , thing of the suffering of jewish people through the ages, think of shalit , and most of all think of the future of the jewish people without israel.

unfortunately there are some lost soles on US campuses.

The Egyptians have opened the Rafah crossing to PEOPLE only, not to GOODS. They are not foolish, and are not willing to take upon themselves the burden of Gaza; they prefer to leave it to Israel. The Gazans are still unable to import raw materials and export finished goods to the outside world. As long as this situation continues, the Gaza economy will remain in a very poor state and the flotilla problem, intended to call attention to the Gaza suffering, will remain. Of course, Israel should lift the economic blockade which has failed to achieve any intended goal. (The original intent was to get the Gazans to overthrow Hamas...) But the military threat from Gaza remains real. The air and sea blockade will have to remain in place. An economic recovery will take the wind out of the sails of future flotillas.