12 may 2015
The European campaign to lift the siege on Gaza stated that the forst ship of Freedom Flotilla 3, Marianne, a peaceful nonviolent action to break the illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip, will kick off from Sweden to mark the fifth anniversary of the Israeli attack on Freedom Flotilla 1 in 2010.
Marianne of Gothenburg left her home port at 7 pm on Sunday 10 May. The trawler, which has been jointly acquired by Ship to Gaza Sweden and Ship to Gaza Norway jointly, departed for a voyage of almost 5000 nautical miles towards the eastern Mediterranean and the blockaded Gaza Strip, the international coalition said in its statement.
Laden with solar panels and medical equipment, Swedish flotilla embarks for Gaza's shores
"Marianne will join other ships to form Freedom Flotilla 3. On its way Marianne will call at many European and will serve as a focus for demonstrations and manifestations against the blockade."
The first three ports will be Helsingborg, Malmö and Copenhagen. Subsequent ports will be announced at a later time in Media Releases.
In 2010, Freedom Flotilla 1, compromised of 6 seats, was on its way to Gaza when it was attacked and boarded in international waters by Israeli navy forces. During the attack, the Israeli soldiers murdered 10 unarmed activists on Mavi Marmara.
In 2011, Freedom Flotilla 2 compromised of 12 boats attempted to sail from Greece and Turkey. Most boats were prevented from leaving their ports; however three of them sailed towards Gaza and were attacked by the Israeli Navy. The boats were illegally confiscated by Israel.
Marianne of Gothenburg left her home port at 7 pm on Sunday 10 May. The trawler, which has been jointly acquired by Ship to Gaza Sweden and Ship to Gaza Norway jointly, departed for a voyage of almost 5000 nautical miles towards the eastern Mediterranean and the blockaded Gaza Strip, the international coalition said in its statement.
Laden with solar panels and medical equipment, Swedish flotilla embarks for Gaza's shores
"Marianne will join other ships to form Freedom Flotilla 3. On its way Marianne will call at many European and will serve as a focus for demonstrations and manifestations against the blockade."
The first three ports will be Helsingborg, Malmö and Copenhagen. Subsequent ports will be announced at a later time in Media Releases.
In 2010, Freedom Flotilla 1, compromised of 6 seats, was on its way to Gaza when it was attacked and boarded in international waters by Israeli navy forces. During the attack, the Israeli soldiers murdered 10 unarmed activists on Mavi Marmara.
In 2011, Freedom Flotilla 2 compromised of 12 boats attempted to sail from Greece and Turkey. Most boats were prevented from leaving their ports; however three of them sailed towards Gaza and were attacked by the Israeli Navy. The boats were illegally confiscated by Israel.
11 may 2015
Marianne of Gothenburg left her home port at 7 pm on the 10 of May. The trawler, which has been acquired by Ship to Gaza Sweden and Ship to Gaza Norway jointly, departs for a voyage of almost 5,000 nautical miles to eastern Mediterranean and the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Marianne will join other ships and together they will form the “Freedom Flotilla III” in order to perform a peaceful, nonviolent action to break the illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip.
In passing Marianne will call at European ports for manifestations against the blockade. The First three ports will be Helsingborg, Malmö and Copenhagen. The subsequent ports will be announced in press releases.
Cargo
Marianne is not a cargo-ship, but she will bring a limited cargo of, among other things, solar cell panels and medical equipment.
The solar cell panels are a gift from ETC-El. In the blockaded Gaza Strip, where the infrastructure has been demolished, solar cells will thus provide an opportunity to independent local production of clean energy. The sun can not be blockaded.
Delegates
In addition to a crew of five people, Marianne will have up to eight delegates as passengers in each section of the route. The names of these individuals will be announced as time progress. In the first section are among others:
Maria Svensson, pro. tem. spokesperson, Feministiskt initiativ
Mikael M Karlsson, Chairperson, Ship to Gaza Sweden
Henry Ascher, professor of Public Health, paediatrician
Lennart Berggren, filmmaker
Dror Feiler, musician, spokesperson of Ship to Gaza
Marianne will join other ships and together they will form the “Freedom Flotilla III” in order to perform a peaceful, nonviolent action to break the illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip.
In passing Marianne will call at European ports for manifestations against the blockade. The First three ports will be Helsingborg, Malmö and Copenhagen. The subsequent ports will be announced in press releases.
Cargo
Marianne is not a cargo-ship, but she will bring a limited cargo of, among other things, solar cell panels and medical equipment.
The solar cell panels are a gift from ETC-El. In the blockaded Gaza Strip, where the infrastructure has been demolished, solar cells will thus provide an opportunity to independent local production of clean energy. The sun can not be blockaded.
Delegates
In addition to a crew of five people, Marianne will have up to eight delegates as passengers in each section of the route. The names of these individuals will be announced as time progress. In the first section are among others:
Maria Svensson, pro. tem. spokesperson, Feministiskt initiativ
Mikael M Karlsson, Chairperson, Ship to Gaza Sweden
Henry Ascher, professor of Public Health, paediatrician
Lennart Berggren, filmmaker
Dror Feiler, musician, spokesperson of Ship to Gaza
1 may 2015
Coordinator of the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza Zaher Birawi revealed that Freedom Flotilla 3, of at least three boats, will sail to Gaza next summer.
A preparatory meeting will be held in Greece on May 16 and 17 to finalize the logistical and administrative arrangements, Birawi added.
No details would be revealed in the meantime so that we do not give a lead to the Israeli occupation to put pressures on the countries that would be the starting point for the flotilla, he continued.
He pointed out that many prominent figures would participate in the flotilla including the former Tunisian president Mohamed Moncef Marzouki.
The three boats are almost ready to sail, he affirmed.
In 2010, a Freedom Flotilla 1 of six boats led by Mavi Marmara boat was attacked by Israeli Navy forces in the international waters while on its way to Gaza. On the Mavi Marmara boat, the Israeli soldiers murdered ten unarmed activists.
In 2012, Freedom Flotilla 2 consisting of 12 boats attempted to sail from Turkey and Greece. Most of the boats were prevented from leaving their ports; however three of them sailed towards Gaza and were attacked by the Israeli Navy. The boats were illegally confiscated by Israel.
Freedom Flotilla to Regroup in 2015, Former Tunisian President Affirms Onboard Presence
Representatives of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and partner organizations traveled to Tunis last week, where they participated in the World Social Forum. During the WSF they met with several Palestinian and Tunisian civil society organizations.
http://freedomflotilla.org/
FFC representatives were also received by Dr. Moncef Marzouki, former President of Tunisia and renowned Human Rights defender, according to the coalition's official website. During the meeting Dr. Marzouki gave the FFC his full support and confirmed that he will be on board of one of Freedom Flotilla III (FF3) ships.
The week was concluded with an internal FFC and partners meeting, during which FFC points of unity were reconfirmed. The group agreed that FF3 will sail, as planned, within the first half of 2015, with at least three ships.
To be noted, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is more critical than ever and is worsening by the day.
Media apathy and inaction by most governments puts the burden on civil society organizations, as ourselves, to take the lead in challenging the blockade.
Siege-breaking flotillas will continue to sail until the illegal blockade of Gaza is permanently lifted, says FFC.
for more information:
Dror Feiler < [email protected] email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. > +46 (70) 2855 777
Ehab Lotayef < [email protected] email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. > +1 (514) 941-9792
A preparatory meeting will be held in Greece on May 16 and 17 to finalize the logistical and administrative arrangements, Birawi added.
No details would be revealed in the meantime so that we do not give a lead to the Israeli occupation to put pressures on the countries that would be the starting point for the flotilla, he continued.
He pointed out that many prominent figures would participate in the flotilla including the former Tunisian president Mohamed Moncef Marzouki.
The three boats are almost ready to sail, he affirmed.
In 2010, a Freedom Flotilla 1 of six boats led by Mavi Marmara boat was attacked by Israeli Navy forces in the international waters while on its way to Gaza. On the Mavi Marmara boat, the Israeli soldiers murdered ten unarmed activists.
In 2012, Freedom Flotilla 2 consisting of 12 boats attempted to sail from Turkey and Greece. Most of the boats were prevented from leaving their ports; however three of them sailed towards Gaza and were attacked by the Israeli Navy. The boats were illegally confiscated by Israel.
Freedom Flotilla to Regroup in 2015, Former Tunisian President Affirms Onboard Presence
Representatives of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and partner organizations traveled to Tunis last week, where they participated in the World Social Forum. During the WSF they met with several Palestinian and Tunisian civil society organizations.
http://freedomflotilla.org/
FFC representatives were also received by Dr. Moncef Marzouki, former President of Tunisia and renowned Human Rights defender, according to the coalition's official website. During the meeting Dr. Marzouki gave the FFC his full support and confirmed that he will be on board of one of Freedom Flotilla III (FF3) ships.
The week was concluded with an internal FFC and partners meeting, during which FFC points of unity were reconfirmed. The group agreed that FF3 will sail, as planned, within the first half of 2015, with at least three ships.
To be noted, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is more critical than ever and is worsening by the day.
Media apathy and inaction by most governments puts the burden on civil society organizations, as ourselves, to take the lead in challenging the blockade.
Siege-breaking flotillas will continue to sail until the illegal blockade of Gaza is permanently lifted, says FFC.
for more information:
Dror Feiler < [email protected] email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. > +46 (70) 2855 777
Ehab Lotayef < [email protected] email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. > +1 (514) 941-9792
2 apr 2015
Former Tunisian President Marzouki will participate in the initiative to break the siege on the Palestinian enclave. It’s the third time since 2010, when the Israeli navy stopped the fleet with a raid in which nine activists were killed.
PNN reports that a new Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail for Gaza in the coming months and on board there will be also the former Tunisian President, Moncef Marzouki.
The report comes from the organization of the flotilla, that will be attended by politicians, religious, leading figures in economy and culture, said the director of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, Ziad al Aloul.
Marzouki, who has had a past as an activist for human rights, has led Tunisia from 2011 to 2014, during the transition period that followed the revolts of the Arab Spring. His is one of the first accessions, announced during the Social Forum that has just ended in Tunisia.
There is no exact date for the departure of the fleet that will attempt to break the siege of the Gaza Strip, but the organizers hope to sail by the summer, with at least three ships.
In 2010 the flotilla was stopped by the Israeli navy while sailing in international waters. The military opened fire on the Mavi Marmara ship, killing nine activists, including eight Turkish citizens. The result was a rupture of diplomatic relations with Ankara.
Subsequently, there have been other attempts to break the blockade of Gaza by sea. In 2011 a fleet was ready to sail from Greece, but Israeli pressure made sure that Athens would prevent ships from leaving.
The Palestinian embargo on the enclave began in 2007, when the Islamic movement Hamas took power in Gaza. Since then, the bloc has deteriorated the living conditions of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, which have worsened since the last Israeli military offensive, last summer.
Gaza's Ark solidarity ship was totally destroyed in the assault.
The UN agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) has spoken of an "embargo" referring to the future of the Palestinians trapped in this strip of land, which is considered an open-air prison.
PNN reports that a new Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail for Gaza in the coming months and on board there will be also the former Tunisian President, Moncef Marzouki.
The report comes from the organization of the flotilla, that will be attended by politicians, religious, leading figures in economy and culture, said the director of the Palestinian Forum in Britain, Ziad al Aloul.
Marzouki, who has had a past as an activist for human rights, has led Tunisia from 2011 to 2014, during the transition period that followed the revolts of the Arab Spring. His is one of the first accessions, announced during the Social Forum that has just ended in Tunisia.
There is no exact date for the departure of the fleet that will attempt to break the siege of the Gaza Strip, but the organizers hope to sail by the summer, with at least three ships.
In 2010 the flotilla was stopped by the Israeli navy while sailing in international waters. The military opened fire on the Mavi Marmara ship, killing nine activists, including eight Turkish citizens. The result was a rupture of diplomatic relations with Ankara.
Subsequently, there have been other attempts to break the blockade of Gaza by sea. In 2011 a fleet was ready to sail from Greece, but Israeli pressure made sure that Athens would prevent ships from leaving.
The Palestinian embargo on the enclave began in 2007, when the Islamic movement Hamas took power in Gaza. Since then, the bloc has deteriorated the living conditions of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, which have worsened since the last Israeli military offensive, last summer.
Gaza's Ark solidarity ship was totally destroyed in the assault.
The UN agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) has spoken of an "embargo" referring to the future of the Palestinians trapped in this strip of land, which is considered an open-air prison.
30 mar 2015
Tunisian former president Dr. Moncef Marzouki has met Sunday evening with a delegation of the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza (ICBSG) in his office in Tunis on the sidelines of the World Social Forum.
According to the committee’s statement, the delegation briefed Marzouki on the preparations made to set sail for Gaza next summer.
The delegation also stressed the importance of the solidarity and civil society activists’ role in breaking the siege of Gaza.
Freedom Flotilla 3 is set to sail for Gaza this summer, the delegation pointed out.
For his part, Marzouki declared his total support for Freedom Flotilla 3 and the efforts made to break the siege of Gaza.
Marzouki also announced during the meeting his readiness to participate in the flotilla.
Coordinator for the committee Zaher al-Birawi asked Marzouki to use his Arab and international relations to pressure for allowing Gaza seaport construction.
Gaza seaport would permanently end the Israeli siege and the Egyptian control over Palestinians’ life in the Strip, he added.
According to the committee’s statement, the delegation briefed Marzouki on the preparations made to set sail for Gaza next summer.
The delegation also stressed the importance of the solidarity and civil society activists’ role in breaking the siege of Gaza.
Freedom Flotilla 3 is set to sail for Gaza this summer, the delegation pointed out.
For his part, Marzouki declared his total support for Freedom Flotilla 3 and the efforts made to break the siege of Gaza.
Marzouki also announced during the meeting his readiness to participate in the flotilla.
Coordinator for the committee Zaher al-Birawi asked Marzouki to use his Arab and international relations to pressure for allowing Gaza seaport construction.
Gaza seaport would permanently end the Israeli siege and the Egyptian control over Palestinians’ life in the Strip, he added.
10 dec 2014
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) declared Wednesday its intention to send a third flotilla to break the siege on Gaza during the first half of next year.
In its statement, the FFC said that the finishing touches have been placed in a meeting held early this month in Athens. At least three ships will participate in the flotilla, the statement pointed out.
Zaher Berawi, the coordinator of the international coalition to break the siege on Gaza and its representative at the FFC, confirmed that no power on earth would stop the ongoing efforts to lift Gaza siege.
“Open Gaza’s port” was chosen to name the flotilla in reference to the international awareness of the importance of Gaza’s port for the Palestinian economy, he continued.
Berawi called on the European Union to pressure Israel and Egypt to open the port of Gaza to international marine traffic as it was set in the ceasefire agreement.
He also called for forming an EU or UN committee to control the entry of the people’s basic needs in order to alleviate Israeli security fears in this matter.
In its statement, the FFC said that the finishing touches have been placed in a meeting held early this month in Athens. At least three ships will participate in the flotilla, the statement pointed out.
Zaher Berawi, the coordinator of the international coalition to break the siege on Gaza and its representative at the FFC, confirmed that no power on earth would stop the ongoing efforts to lift Gaza siege.
“Open Gaza’s port” was chosen to name the flotilla in reference to the international awareness of the importance of Gaza’s port for the Palestinian economy, he continued.
Berawi called on the European Union to pressure Israel and Egypt to open the port of Gaza to international marine traffic as it was set in the ceasefire agreement.
He also called for forming an EU or UN committee to control the entry of the people’s basic needs in order to alleviate Israeli security fears in this matter.
8 dec 2014
The Jordanian Lifeline Committee announced its readiness to participate in the Freedom Flotilla 2 to break the siege on Gaza.
In press statements, chairman for the committee Wa’el Al-Saqa confirmed the Lifeline Committee's participation in Freedom Flotilla 2 to be organized by the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH).
The flotilla is set to head to Gaza by the second half of next May with an international coalition to break its siege, marking the fifth anniversary of the Israeli attack on the first freedom flotilla.
Al-Saqa pointed out that his committee is the only participant that owns a steamship "Noor", saying that things are still not clear for the convoy.
In 2010, the IHH and the Free Gaza Movement, a human rights organization, sent three flotilla ships to try to breach the blockade. Israeli special forces stormed the lead ship before dawn and clashed with those aboard in an attack that met with an international condemnation. Nine Turks were killed, leading to a breakdown in Israeli-Turkish relations.
In press statements, chairman for the committee Wa’el Al-Saqa confirmed the Lifeline Committee's participation in Freedom Flotilla 2 to be organized by the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH).
The flotilla is set to head to Gaza by the second half of next May with an international coalition to break its siege, marking the fifth anniversary of the Israeli attack on the first freedom flotilla.
Al-Saqa pointed out that his committee is the only participant that owns a steamship "Noor", saying that things are still not clear for the convoy.
In 2010, the IHH and the Free Gaza Movement, a human rights organization, sent three flotilla ships to try to breach the blockade. Israeli special forces stormed the lead ship before dawn and clashed with those aboard in an attack that met with an international condemnation. Nine Turks were killed, leading to a breakdown in Israeli-Turkish relations.
7 dec 2014
The European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza announced intents to dispatch the Freedom Flotilla II to the Gaza Strip by the end of May 2015 to mark the 5th anniversary of the notorious Israeli attack on the 2010 flotilla.
Activist in the campaign said, during a meeting held Saturday, the flotilla is to set sail to Gaza in the last week of May with a wider international participation, the local SAFA News Agency quoted Chairman of the campaign, Mazen Kahil, as stating.
Kahil said the projected multinational fleet comes as a reaction to Israeli and Egyptian attempts to tighten the noose around Gazans’ necks, adding that a roadmap was devised to that end.
The Turkish Relief Organization said activists from 100 states will partake in the planned flotilla in an act of defiance to the blockade enforced on Gaza since 2007.
The move is intended to replicate the May 2010 flotilla, which failed to reach Gaza but led to a significant propaganda victory for the anti-Israel movement after Israeli commandos killed ten Turkish activists during a violent attack on board one of the ships.
SAFA said, quoting reliable sources, that a comprehensive plan has been delineated for the voyage and enhanced by the Euro-mid Observatory for Human Rights to push for the launch of a waterway into Gaza.
Activist in the campaign said, during a meeting held Saturday, the flotilla is to set sail to Gaza in the last week of May with a wider international participation, the local SAFA News Agency quoted Chairman of the campaign, Mazen Kahil, as stating.
Kahil said the projected multinational fleet comes as a reaction to Israeli and Egyptian attempts to tighten the noose around Gazans’ necks, adding that a roadmap was devised to that end.
The Turkish Relief Organization said activists from 100 states will partake in the planned flotilla in an act of defiance to the blockade enforced on Gaza since 2007.
The move is intended to replicate the May 2010 flotilla, which failed to reach Gaza but led to a significant propaganda victory for the anti-Israel movement after Israeli commandos killed ten Turkish activists during a violent attack on board one of the ships.
SAFA said, quoting reliable sources, that a comprehensive plan has been delineated for the voyage and enhanced by the Euro-mid Observatory for Human Rights to push for the launch of a waterway into Gaza.
27 sept 2014
International and Turkish activists declared the intention to send a second flotilla to break the siege on Gaza under the name of Freedom Flotilla 2. The first Freedom Flotilla was attacked at sea before reaching Gaza Strip by Israeli navy forces killing ten Turkish nationals.
Activists from all over the world declared in Istanbul that they have started preparations for a "Freedom Flotilla 2" which will carry humanitarian aid to the besieged Strip.
Around 100 activists will participate in the flotilla to break the 7-year siege on Gaza, the Turkish humanitarian relief organization (IHH) confirmed.
In 2010, Israeli navy troops opened fire on pro-Palestinian activists aboard a six-ship aid flotilla sailing for the Gaza Strip, killing 10 Turks and wounding several others.
For his part, IHH’s head for international relations Izzat Shahin confirmed that Freedom Flotilla 2 came in response to the continued Israeli siege on Gaza. Further details for the flotilla will be declared soon, he added.
Nearly 12 non-governmental organizations including Jewish anti-Israeli groups have earlier declared the intention to kick off a second flotilla to Gaza.
Activists from different countries and religions as well as from Arab and Islamic countries will participate in breaking the siege on Gaza, Shahin added.
Commenting on any Israeli potential threat, Shahin said that Israel can never repeat its crime again after being forced to admit and apologize for its fault.
Tensions between Israel and Turkey reached a breaking point after the Israeli deliberate attack on Gaza aid flotilla, mainly the Turkish IHH ship, Mavi Marmari on May 31, 2010.
Many of the activists who had participated in Freedom Flotilla 1 and survived the first attack confirmed their participation in Freedom Flotilla 2, the Turkish journalist Ahmed Faroul told al-Jazeera Net.
Breaking the siege on Gaza is the duty of all the free world and freedom supporters all over the world, he added.
He ruled out the probability of an Israeli attack on the second flotilla after paying a heavy price for its earlier crime.
Activists from all over the world declared in Istanbul that they have started preparations for a "Freedom Flotilla 2" which will carry humanitarian aid to the besieged Strip.
Around 100 activists will participate in the flotilla to break the 7-year siege on Gaza, the Turkish humanitarian relief organization (IHH) confirmed.
In 2010, Israeli navy troops opened fire on pro-Palestinian activists aboard a six-ship aid flotilla sailing for the Gaza Strip, killing 10 Turks and wounding several others.
For his part, IHH’s head for international relations Izzat Shahin confirmed that Freedom Flotilla 2 came in response to the continued Israeli siege on Gaza. Further details for the flotilla will be declared soon, he added.
Nearly 12 non-governmental organizations including Jewish anti-Israeli groups have earlier declared the intention to kick off a second flotilla to Gaza.
Activists from different countries and religions as well as from Arab and Islamic countries will participate in breaking the siege on Gaza, Shahin added.
Commenting on any Israeli potential threat, Shahin said that Israel can never repeat its crime again after being forced to admit and apologize for its fault.
Tensions between Israel and Turkey reached a breaking point after the Israeli deliberate attack on Gaza aid flotilla, mainly the Turkish IHH ship, Mavi Marmari on May 31, 2010.
Many of the activists who had participated in Freedom Flotilla 1 and survived the first attack confirmed their participation in Freedom Flotilla 2, the Turkish journalist Ahmed Faroul told al-Jazeera Net.
Breaking the siege on Gaza is the duty of all the free world and freedom supporters all over the world, he added.
He ruled out the probability of an Israeli attack on the second flotilla after paying a heavy price for its earlier crime.
12 aug 2014
Nine pro-Gaza member groups of the international Freedom Flotilla coalition met on Monday evening in Istanbul and discussed a plan to send a convoy of aid ships during the coming months to the besieged and war-torn Gaza Strip. Representatives of other non-member groups from Jordan, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa and other countries attended the meeting.
The coalition intends to hold a news conference to announce the details of the convoy's departure for Gaza following a final meeting on Tuesday.
Members of the coalition also agreed yesterday on organizing pro-Gaza demonstrations at sea worldwide.
The international committee for breaking the blockade, the founding member of the coalition, said there would be a new project aimed at twinning Gaza port with other ports in the world.
The coalition intends to hold a news conference to announce the details of the convoy's departure for Gaza following a final meeting on Tuesday.
Members of the coalition also agreed yesterday on organizing pro-Gaza demonstrations at sea worldwide.
The international committee for breaking the blockade, the founding member of the coalition, said there would be a new project aimed at twinning Gaza port with other ports in the world.
26 july 2014
Bulent Yildirim, head of the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), revealed that a second Freedom Flotilla is to set sail soon loaded with tons of humanitarian aid to break the siege on Gaza. Yildirim told Alkhaleej Online that the foundation started on Thursday the legal procedures to organize the convoy, saying that once it is approved numerous international humanitarian organizations would take part in the convoy.
He said that the convoy would be organized under Turkish army protection, adding that IHH had submitted a request to the Turkish government to provide them, as Turkish citizens, with the needed protection.
For his part, head of the European campaign to lift the siege on Gaza Mazen Kahil declared his organization's intention to participate in the planned flotilla, saying that contacts are made with IHH in this matter.
IHH and the European campaign along with several Turkish relief organizations had participated in Freedom Flotilla I, which was attacked by the Israeli Navy in international waters on May 31, 2010.
He said that the convoy would be organized under Turkish army protection, adding that IHH had submitted a request to the Turkish government to provide them, as Turkish citizens, with the needed protection.
For his part, head of the European campaign to lift the siege on Gaza Mazen Kahil declared his organization's intention to participate in the planned flotilla, saying that contacts are made with IHH in this matter.
IHH and the European campaign along with several Turkish relief organizations had participated in Freedom Flotilla I, which was attacked by the Israeli Navy in international waters on May 31, 2010.
13 may 2014
Following is a statement by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition regarding the April 29th attack on Gaza's Ark.
Statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition regarding the attack on Gaza's Ark, for immediate release.
London, May 12, 2014
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition met in London over the last two days to discuss future plans in the wake of the terrorist attack on Gaza's Ark in the port of Gaza, as well as future plans to struggle against the blockade of Gaza
The attack, which occurred on April 29th, caused substantial damage to the hull of the boat. These hull damages and others caused by the explosion need a minimum of 2 months work to repair at a cost of approximately US $30,000.
In response to this attack we will increase our efforts to challenge the blockade through non-violent direct action. We now plan to sail Gaza's Ark early in the fall of 2014
The authorities have not yet concluded their investigations of the incident, so it is premature to blame anyone, but it is well known who enforces the blockade on Gaza and who doesn't want it challenged.
Preliminary results of the investigation and inspection by our partners indicate that the materials which were used in the attack are not readily found in Gaza.
Freedom Flotilla boats have been sabotaged before in the ports of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, over the last 5 years, as they were preparing to sail to Gaza to challenge the blockade.
Boats that sailed to Gaza have been attacked by the Israeli Navy in international water, in one case lethally, and in others with force which caused a boat to sink. Boats that were not sabotaged (over half a dozen) were hijacked and towed to Ashdod.
This attack on Gaza's Ark took place as Israel is under increased legal pressure for its deadly attack on the first Freedom Flotilla in 2010 at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and in Turkish courts.
It also happens as Israel is increasing pressure against all Palestinians in retaliation against efforts at national reconciliation between the West Bank and Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition commits to continue its work against the blockade of Gaza in all ways and by all non-violent means possible, including supporting the May 31st International Freedom Day for Gaza.
For further information:
Ehab Lotayef +44 (753) 877 0353 or +1 (514) 941 9792
Ann Ighe +46 (70) 974 0739
Zaher Birawi +44 (785) 089 6057
Statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition regarding the attack on Gaza's Ark, for immediate release.
London, May 12, 2014
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition met in London over the last two days to discuss future plans in the wake of the terrorist attack on Gaza's Ark in the port of Gaza, as well as future plans to struggle against the blockade of Gaza
The attack, which occurred on April 29th, caused substantial damage to the hull of the boat. These hull damages and others caused by the explosion need a minimum of 2 months work to repair at a cost of approximately US $30,000.
In response to this attack we will increase our efforts to challenge the blockade through non-violent direct action. We now plan to sail Gaza's Ark early in the fall of 2014
The authorities have not yet concluded their investigations of the incident, so it is premature to blame anyone, but it is well known who enforces the blockade on Gaza and who doesn't want it challenged.
Preliminary results of the investigation and inspection by our partners indicate that the materials which were used in the attack are not readily found in Gaza.
Freedom Flotilla boats have been sabotaged before in the ports of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, over the last 5 years, as they were preparing to sail to Gaza to challenge the blockade.
Boats that sailed to Gaza have been attacked by the Israeli Navy in international water, in one case lethally, and in others with force which caused a boat to sink. Boats that were not sabotaged (over half a dozen) were hijacked and towed to Ashdod.
This attack on Gaza's Ark took place as Israel is under increased legal pressure for its deadly attack on the first Freedom Flotilla in 2010 at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and in Turkish courts.
It also happens as Israel is increasing pressure against all Palestinians in retaliation against efforts at national reconciliation between the West Bank and Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition commits to continue its work against the blockade of Gaza in all ways and by all non-violent means possible, including supporting the May 31st International Freedom Day for Gaza.
For further information:
Ehab Lotayef +44 (753) 877 0353 or +1 (514) 941 9792
Ann Ighe +46 (70) 974 0739
Zaher Birawi +44 (785) 089 6057
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