Filmmaker smuggled raw footage off Mavi Marmara

Published time: June 15, 2010 00:29
Edited time: July 06, 2010 01:05

Iara Lee managed to save raw footage of the Israeli raid of the Gaza flotilla despite her equipment being confiscated by Israeli forces.

All those on board worked to conceal their video equipment in order to protect their footage, some succeed and others did not.

Lee is a filmmaker and activist who was aboard of the Mavi Marmara ship of the Gaza flotilla as it was raided by Israeli commandos. The footage is about an hour in length and shows what was going on aboard the Mavi Marmara in the time leading up to the raid and the reactions of passengers during the attack. She was also one of the few Americans on the Mavi Marmara.

I went as a filmmaker, as an activist, as a humanitarian,” said Lee.

Lee said that it was very unfortunate the equipment was all confiscated. There was no respect for the media or those documenting the event. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment was lost.

The main goal of Israelis was to jam the satellite system so people would not have access to information, but the organizers were smart and had a back-up system. So, when the raid happened they were able to transit via satellite some of the horrible things that we endured,” said Lee

Lee and others hope the information and video footage can bring to light what actually occurred on the ship and hopes the footage will lead to Israelis being prosecute for international crimes.

Lee’s footage does not show close-ups of soldiers killing activists. The footage documents the time before, during and after the chaos. It shows the mood aboard the ship before the attack occurred, what went on at the time of the incident and shows injured activists in the wake of the raid.

Israeli has continued to claim that their actions were self defense. Lee disagrees, stating those onboard the ship were attacked without provocation

“We didn’t attack first. We were in the middle of international waters and the Israelis were the ones who came and attacked us,” said Lee.

The blockade of Gaza is a clear violation of the Geneva Convention. It illegally collectively punishes the people of Gaza when the real conflict is between Hamas and the Israeli government, argued Lee.

We were a Humanitarian mission, but we wanted to bring attention to the fact that this is unjust law,” said Lee. 

Comments (2)

Araps39 05.07.2010 18:15

Mrs. Lee also lies when she says Israel doesn’t allow medicine or food to enter Gaza. Everyday there are hundreds of trucks going in and out of Gaza bringing in Humanitarian aid. Many governments donate. Israel checks it and passes it on. Also, Important to note: Israel is the main supplier of water and electricity to Gaza. So there is no humanitarian crises in Gaza. Compared to Arabs across the region and Africa the people in Gaza live pretty well. Can it be better – YES, but is there a crises NO. Further proof there is no humanitarian crises, is the ships which did arrive to Ashdod port, and Israel checked it then sent it to the crossing to Gaza Hamas denied access stating all the people from the ship should be freed. If there was such a need for food and people were starving the government would be forced to take it immediately – this is NOT the action of a starving person! This woman joined a group to ignite hatred distance peace and make it a little harder for the people wishing peace to accomplish it. So with all due respect to this woman her stupidity is costing lives. Please refrain from doing this again for we ALL know how inhumane and inconsiderate you are to the Palestinian needs. You’re actions have shown the real face of this “Humanitarian” shipment which of cores - it had nothing to do with humanity or palestinian prosperity but only publicity. Shame on you!

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Raps39 05.07.2010 18:14

First, by Mrs. Lee going on this ship she explicitly supported Hamas and its government. Hamas is supported by Iran and Hezbollah and teaches little kids (7-8) to hate & kill Israelis and Jews by blowing up innocent people. This is a dangerous organization responsible for blowing up buses, hotels, bars, restaurants, cafe’s resulting in thousands of Israeli deaths all over Israel. Hamas is also responsible for sending shooting squads to Midtown Jerusalem and open fire on random people passing by. Mrs. Lee sure has good friends… The Israeli government announced more than once there is a blockade on Gaza, and it will not allow any ships to doc there. Everything must be checked by Israel due to security risks. Israel has the obligation to its citizens to make sure there are no weapons on ships. By this woman being naïve, not caring who attacked who, but only to bash Israel she takes a side which is not beneficial to peace, to humanitarianism or palestinian prosperity.

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