Boat Arrives in Gaza to Protest Blockade
Source: Agencies, 29-10-2008
‘Israel' has threatened to use force and stop activists sailing a boat on a repeat voyage to Gaza from entering the Palestinian territory.
Twenty-seven peace activists from 13 countries left Cyprus on Tuesday afternoon aboard a 20-meter (66-foot) Gibraltar-registered pleasure cruiser to the Gaza Strip. They aim to break a year long Israeli blockade imposed on the impoverished area and are expected to arrive in Gaza at
around 8:00 am on Wednesday.
The move comes nearly two months after 46 activists from different countries broke the siege.
'Israeli' officials say the navy will stop the activists' vessel from reaching the territory and ‘Israeli' forces will take control of the ship, by force if necessary, Ha'aretz reports.
According to Free Gaza Movement organizer Greta Berlin, the boat is equipped with a "symbolic package" containing humanitarian aid and vital medical supplies to Palestinians.
Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire, Palestinian Legislative Council member Mustafa Barghouti and MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad) are among the activists.
"The people of Gaza are part of our human family. The Israeli government cannot cut off Gaza forever. We will come again and again until we reach our family. We go to visit our family, and the Israeli government has no right to stop us", the group's website, freeGaza.org quoted Mairead Maguire as saying.
"I'm concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It's a man-made policy of collective punishment by Israel being ignored by the United Nations," The Nobel Peace Prize winner told AFP before boarding the boat. "We have a responsibility in the West, especially when children are suffering. I believe we can make a difference and break the silence of the international
community."
In August, two Greek boats --carrying high-profile people such as Lauren Booth, the sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Hedy Epstein, a Holocaust survivor-- arrived in the populated coastal region.
They had received several warnings from the ‘Israeli' regime not to enter the territory's coastal waters. Tel Aviv had even jammed the boats' communication systems and ordered the navy to confront them.
The activists, however, broke the long-running blockade and entered the besieged territory in August 23.
‘Israel' has threatened to use force and stop activists sailing a boat on a repeat voyage to Gaza from entering the Palestinian territory.
Twenty-seven peace activists from 13 countries left Cyprus on Tuesday afternoon aboard a 20-meter (66-foot) Gibraltar-registered pleasure cruiser to the Gaza Strip. They aim to break a year long Israeli blockade imposed on the impoverished area and are expected to arrive in Gaza at
around 8:00 am on Wednesday.
The move comes nearly two months after 46 activists from different countries broke the siege.
'Israeli' officials say the navy will stop the activists' vessel from reaching the territory and ‘Israeli' forces will take control of the ship, by force if necessary, Ha'aretz reports.
According to Free Gaza Movement organizer Greta Berlin, the boat is equipped with a "symbolic package" containing humanitarian aid and vital medical supplies to Palestinians.
Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire, Palestinian Legislative Council member Mustafa Barghouti and MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad) are among the activists.
"The people of Gaza are part of our human family. The Israeli government cannot cut off Gaza forever. We will come again and again until we reach our family. We go to visit our family, and the Israeli government has no right to stop us", the group's website, freeGaza.org quoted Mairead Maguire as saying.
"I'm concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It's a man-made policy of collective punishment by Israel being ignored by the United Nations," The Nobel Peace Prize winner told AFP before boarding the boat. "We have a responsibility in the West, especially when children are suffering. I believe we can make a difference and break the silence of the international
community."
In August, two Greek boats --carrying high-profile people such as Lauren Booth, the sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Hedy Epstein, a Holocaust survivor-- arrived in the populated coastal region.
They had received several warnings from the ‘Israeli' regime not to enter the territory's coastal waters. Tel Aviv had even jammed the boats' communication systems and ordered the navy to confront them.
The activists, however, broke the long-running blockade and entered the besieged territory in August 23.
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