Ridgely Fuller's blog

Greater Boston Codepink and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - Boston Branch held an International Women's Day rally yesterday to bring our war $$$ home at the Massachusetts State House. About 100 people marched through Boston Common to the bridge in the Public Garden. Pink Parasol Peace Brigade: COME ON PEOPLE, LET'S TURN THIS COUNTRY 'ROUND, STOP WAR SPENDING AND FUND JOBS NOW!

Hi, Mustafa and Eman and all my other beloved Palestinian friends in Gaza,

I am sitting at this computer in the hotel, 7am on the day I leave Greece, writing my last email.  Tears are running down my face as I can't tell you how deeply disappointed I am not be seeing you this time around in Gaza. We really, really tried. Our 'mailboat', crew and all of us were so prepared and eager with thousands of letters of love and solidarity. The minutes that we spent freed from the dock were so glorious; being part of the happiest collection of people one can ever imagine.

What I do want you to know:

I just returned from four days in Washington DC at the Move Over AIPAC conference and am not sure if I return feeling more despondent by the incredible power of this Israel lobby or exhilarated by the solidarity of those trying to thwart its danger not only to US interests but also to the very existence of our 'democracy'. Before that is sorted out I want to quickly share information about the past weekend's Israel lobby days in Washington DC and our attempts to bring to light the incredible stranglehold this lobby has on any efforts, including those of Pres Obama, to bring any change to US policy in the Middle East.

As you may know American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC )had its convention in DC this past weekend which included speeches by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu both at its 'gala dinner' and before a joint session of Congress as well as large scale lobbying by thousands of its members in individual congressional offices. AIPAC as you may know is considered to be at least the second biggest lobby organization in the US, which some in government describe as the best effort ' on the planet'. It writes legislation, 'vets' all candidates for congressional ( and many state) offices then directs large sums of money to preferred candidates.As it has been accused of spying several times and openly working with the Israeli government many believe it should be registered as a' foreign agent'. When even mainstream New York Times writes today that Netanyahu, in his address before Congress " received so many standing ovations that at times it appeared that the lawmakers were listening to his speech standing up" you get the idea of its effectiveness.