30 june 2015
Russian journalist, Nadezhda Kifrckova, who participated in the Freedom Flotilla III’s ship Marianne refused to sign a document of voluntary eviction by Israeli police, after the seizure of the ship that was heading to Gaza.
In a press statement, the Russian consul to Israel said Nadezhda refused to sign the expulsion of the Israeli-occupied territories and she is currently detained in Givon Israeli jail.
Russian consul said Nadezhda will likely be brought to trial before Israeli courts for not to sign.
Kifrcova works as a journalist for Russia Today English-language television. When Israel captured the vessel Marianne, she was onboard Freedom Flotilla III sailing to Gaza to break the blockade.
Israeli marines blocked and attacked the Swedish Marianne which was heading for Gaza within Freedom Flotilla III at 2 am, 29 June, after a communication break for half an hour. Then, they detained ships and seized all of Arab and European volunteers onboard in international waters, about 95 miles from the sea of Gaza.
Having led the ship to the port of Ashdod, Israeli forces took the volunteers to illegal immigration unit and interrogated them, then asked them to sign a paper of volunteer eviction, as a first step of deportation to their country of origin.
Israeli forces continue blockading Gaza for nine years in a row. Humanitarian and medical assistance was denied entry, including building materials for the reconstruction of houses destroyed. To pressure Israel, a convoy of international activists was formed to break the blockade of Gaza, including Freedom Flotilla III that was heading to Gaza.
In a press statement, the Russian consul to Israel said Nadezhda refused to sign the expulsion of the Israeli-occupied territories and she is currently detained in Givon Israeli jail.
Russian consul said Nadezhda will likely be brought to trial before Israeli courts for not to sign.
Kifrcova works as a journalist for Russia Today English-language television. When Israel captured the vessel Marianne, she was onboard Freedom Flotilla III sailing to Gaza to break the blockade.
Israeli marines blocked and attacked the Swedish Marianne which was heading for Gaza within Freedom Flotilla III at 2 am, 29 June, after a communication break for half an hour. Then, they detained ships and seized all of Arab and European volunteers onboard in international waters, about 95 miles from the sea of Gaza.
Having led the ship to the port of Ashdod, Israeli forces took the volunteers to illegal immigration unit and interrogated them, then asked them to sign a paper of volunteer eviction, as a first step of deportation to their country of origin.
Israeli forces continue blockading Gaza for nine years in a row. Humanitarian and medical assistance was denied entry, including building materials for the reconstruction of houses destroyed. To pressure Israel, a convoy of international activists was formed to break the blockade of Gaza, including Freedom Flotilla III that was heading to Gaza.
Former Tunisian President Moncef Al-Marzouki was on the flagship of the Freedom Flotilla III, the Marianne
Following Israel's hijacking of the Gaza-bound ship Marianne in international waters on Monday, Arab-Israeli Basel Ghattas MK has been released from custody and former Tunisian President Moncef Al-Marzouki has been deported to France, reported Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Sixteen foreign nationals were on board the vessel, along with two Israelis, Ghattas and a television reporter.
The MK could face a parliamentary hearing to see whether he should face sanctions or not. He revealed that MEP Ana Miranda was also deported along with Al-Marzouki.
According to Ghattas, the Israeli navy intercepted the Marianne at 2am local time and the crew turned the engines off, refusing to cooperate with the Israelis. By 7am, the navy was towing the ship towards Ashdod. "The Israelis confiscated all of the activists' personal belongings, including mobile phones and other equipment," he said. "They did not allow any telephone calls to be made by anyone on board."
The Tunisian foreign ministry expressed concern over the detention of the humanitarian activists who were on board the ship, which was part of Freedom Flotilla III aiming to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip. It was, the statement insisted, only carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.
"Tunis condemns this operation [the Israeli hijacking] and calls for the immediate release of all participants," the statement said. "It blames the Israeli occupation authorities for any harm that might befall them."
Israel releases former Tunisian president
The European Campaign to Break the Siege on Gaza revealed that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) released former Tunisian President Moncef al-Marzouki and that he arrived in Paris.
Releasing al-Marzouki followed Israel's piracy of the Gaza-bound ship Marianne in international waters on Monday.
The Arab-Israeli MK Basel Ghattas said, over a phone call with the campaign’s president, that the IOA released him along with al-Marzouki at a late hour on Monday evening. He noted that the other abducted solidarity activists are in good health and declared his intention to participate in the next Freedom Flotilla in challenge to the Israeli terrorism.
The campaign arranged a popular grand reception in Paris to welcome the former Tunisian President al-Marzouki.
The Israeli navy intercepted the Marianne at 2am local time on Monday and towed the ship towards Ashdod. The Israelis took over the ship and confiscated all of the activists on board and their personal belongings in international waters.
Following Israel's hijacking of the Gaza-bound ship Marianne in international waters on Monday, Arab-Israeli Basel Ghattas MK has been released from custody and former Tunisian President Moncef Al-Marzouki has been deported to France, reported Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Sixteen foreign nationals were on board the vessel, along with two Israelis, Ghattas and a television reporter.
The MK could face a parliamentary hearing to see whether he should face sanctions or not. He revealed that MEP Ana Miranda was also deported along with Al-Marzouki.
According to Ghattas, the Israeli navy intercepted the Marianne at 2am local time and the crew turned the engines off, refusing to cooperate with the Israelis. By 7am, the navy was towing the ship towards Ashdod. "The Israelis confiscated all of the activists' personal belongings, including mobile phones and other equipment," he said. "They did not allow any telephone calls to be made by anyone on board."
The Tunisian foreign ministry expressed concern over the detention of the humanitarian activists who were on board the ship, which was part of Freedom Flotilla III aiming to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip. It was, the statement insisted, only carrying humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.
"Tunis condemns this operation [the Israeli hijacking] and calls for the immediate release of all participants," the statement said. "It blames the Israeli occupation authorities for any harm that might befall them."
Israel releases former Tunisian president
The European Campaign to Break the Siege on Gaza revealed that the Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) released former Tunisian President Moncef al-Marzouki and that he arrived in Paris.
Releasing al-Marzouki followed Israel's piracy of the Gaza-bound ship Marianne in international waters on Monday.
The Arab-Israeli MK Basel Ghattas said, over a phone call with the campaign’s president, that the IOA released him along with al-Marzouki at a late hour on Monday evening. He noted that the other abducted solidarity activists are in good health and declared his intention to participate in the next Freedom Flotilla in challenge to the Israeli terrorism.
The campaign arranged a popular grand reception in Paris to welcome the former Tunisian President al-Marzouki.
The Israeli navy intercepted the Marianne at 2am local time on Monday and towed the ship towards Ashdod. The Israelis took over the ship and confiscated all of the activists on board and their personal belongings in international waters.
Spanish Member of the European Parliament Ana Miranda, who was on board Marianne but now back in Spain, spoke in the Spanish parliament earlier today, showing the bruise she received during the attack on the Marianne
Left-wing political parties in Spain have criticised Israel for disrupting the Third Freedom Flotilla to Gaza and capturing one of the vessels in international waters. In a written statement, the Galician Nationalist Bloc described Israeli action as "piracy".
The bloc's spokesman Francisco Jorquera and Rosana Peres, a parliament member, also criticised the Spanish government's reaction over the incident, which saw Israeli forces taking by force the civilian vessel, Marianne, to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Spanish Member of the European Parliament Ana Miranda, who was on board Marianne but now back in Spain, also spoke in the Spanish parliament earlier today.
The spokesman called on Spain's Foreign Ministry to take a tough stance over the incident and face the Gaza issue head on.
Podemos's spokesman Rfael Mayoral also urged the international community to raise its voice against Israel.
Mayoral emphasized that Israel should end its "discrimination" and "blockade" on Gaza underling that Israel violated human rights.
According to the official Freedom Flotilla Twitter account (@GazaFFlotilla), Israel has imprisoned the Marianne crew. "Most of Marianne crew now in Givon prison, Israel," it tweeted Tuesday.
"Activists of the Marianne, excluding [Arab Israeli politician] MK Ghattas & [former Tunisian president] Dr. Marzouki, who were already released, now at Givon prison in Israel," another tweet from an affiliated Twitter account (@ShiptoGazaSE) said.
Israel has maintained a tight blockade of the Gaza Strip since 2007, when Palestinian group Hamas took over control of the territory.
Left-wing political parties in Spain have criticised Israel for disrupting the Third Freedom Flotilla to Gaza and capturing one of the vessels in international waters. In a written statement, the Galician Nationalist Bloc described Israeli action as "piracy".
The bloc's spokesman Francisco Jorquera and Rosana Peres, a parliament member, also criticised the Spanish government's reaction over the incident, which saw Israeli forces taking by force the civilian vessel, Marianne, to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Spanish Member of the European Parliament Ana Miranda, who was on board Marianne but now back in Spain, also spoke in the Spanish parliament earlier today.
The spokesman called on Spain's Foreign Ministry to take a tough stance over the incident and face the Gaza issue head on.
Podemos's spokesman Rfael Mayoral also urged the international community to raise its voice against Israel.
Mayoral emphasized that Israel should end its "discrimination" and "blockade" on Gaza underling that Israel violated human rights.
According to the official Freedom Flotilla Twitter account (@GazaFFlotilla), Israel has imprisoned the Marianne crew. "Most of Marianne crew now in Givon prison, Israel," it tweeted Tuesday.
"Activists of the Marianne, excluding [Arab Israeli politician] MK Ghattas & [former Tunisian president] Dr. Marzouki, who were already released, now at Givon prison in Israel," another tweet from an affiliated Twitter account (@ShiptoGazaSE) said.
Israel has maintained a tight blockade of the Gaza Strip since 2007, when Palestinian group Hamas took over control of the territory.
Image of the 'Thales of Miletus', a boat that was part of the Freedom Flotilla III, sailing back to Greece, after being released by the Israelis from Ashdod port
The UN welcomed the "peaceful completion" of the confrontation between the Israeli army and activists on the Freedom Flotilla, the Anadolu Agency reported the deputy spokesman for UN secretary-general Farhan Haq saying yesterday.
Israel intercepted the first ship in the five boat fleet approximately 100 nautical miles off the Gaza coast at dawn yesterday. The flotilla aimed to break the eight-year Israeli siege on Gaza.
The ship was towed to the Israeli seaport of Ashdod and the activists were detained, investigated and a large number of them were deported.
Haq added that the UN is looking into where the boat was interception but was happy that the event passed non-violently.
Earlier, Rima Khalaf, executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), strongly criticised the Israeli interception of the Marianne of Gothenburg "during its way to Gaza as part of European efforts to break the eight-year siege imposed on it."
In 2010, the Israeli navy stormed the Turkish Mavi Marmara, which was partaking in the first Freedom Flotilla to break the siege on Gaza, killing nine activists.
The UN welcomed the "peaceful completion" of the confrontation between the Israeli army and activists on the Freedom Flotilla, the Anadolu Agency reported the deputy spokesman for UN secretary-general Farhan Haq saying yesterday.
Israel intercepted the first ship in the five boat fleet approximately 100 nautical miles off the Gaza coast at dawn yesterday. The flotilla aimed to break the eight-year Israeli siege on Gaza.
The ship was towed to the Israeli seaport of Ashdod and the activists were detained, investigated and a large number of them were deported.
Haq added that the UN is looking into where the boat was interception but was happy that the event passed non-violently.
Earlier, Rima Khalaf, executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), strongly criticised the Israeli interception of the Marianne of Gothenburg "during its way to Gaza as part of European efforts to break the eight-year siege imposed on it."
In 2010, the Israeli navy stormed the Turkish Mavi Marmara, which was partaking in the first Freedom Flotilla to break the siege on Gaza, killing nine activists.
The State of Qatar strongly condemned Monday the Israeli navy interception of Freedom Flotilla 3 heading to Gaza and the detention of former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday night that the officials are following with concern the development of the situation in the Gaza Strip, the continuation of the Israeli violations, and blocking humanitarian supplies to Gaza's population. The statement called for the immediate release of Marzouki and the rest of the participants.
The statement called on the international community to take immediate action to stop the Israeli violations and lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, pointing to the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in it.
Earlier Monday, three boats of the Israeli navy had hijacked Marianne boat, which leads Freedom Flotilla 3, in international waters while sailing approximately 100 nautical miles from Gaza coast.
Former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki was among 18 other activists aboard Marianne ship.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday night that the officials are following with concern the development of the situation in the Gaza Strip, the continuation of the Israeli violations, and blocking humanitarian supplies to Gaza's population. The statement called for the immediate release of Marzouki and the rest of the participants.
The statement called on the international community to take immediate action to stop the Israeli violations and lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, pointing to the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in it.
Earlier Monday, three boats of the Israeli navy had hijacked Marianne boat, which leads Freedom Flotilla 3, in international waters while sailing approximately 100 nautical miles from Gaza coast.
Former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki was among 18 other activists aboard Marianne ship.
Tunisia on Monday condemned the interception by the Israeli navy of one of the vessels of the Freedom Flotilla III which was carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza, calling to immediately release all participants in the flotilla.
Tunisia called, in a Foreign Ministry statement, to immediately release all participants in the Freedom flotilla, holding the Israeli occupation authorities responsible for their safety and that of Moncef al-Marzouki, the former Tunisian president.
Spokesperson for the Tunisian Presidency Moez Sinawi said the presidency has been following up on the current developments as regards al-Marzouki’s life, given his status as Tunisia’s ex-president and also a citizen, and that of the other campaigners.
Several human rights activists and politicians, including al-Marzouki, have been on board of the Freedom Flotilla III ship Marianne which had set sail from a Mediterranean port in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, before being intercepted by the Israeli navy gunboats and commandeered to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Tunisia called, in a Foreign Ministry statement, to immediately release all participants in the Freedom flotilla, holding the Israeli occupation authorities responsible for their safety and that of Moncef al-Marzouki, the former Tunisian president.
Spokesperson for the Tunisian Presidency Moez Sinawi said the presidency has been following up on the current developments as regards al-Marzouki’s life, given his status as Tunisia’s ex-president and also a citizen, and that of the other campaigners.
Several human rights activists and politicians, including al-Marzouki, have been on board of the Freedom Flotilla III ship Marianne which had set sail from a Mediterranean port in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, before being intercepted by the Israeli navy gunboats and commandeered to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Deputy head of Hamas's political bureau Ismail Haneyya has said that the third Freedom Flotilla campaign achieved its goals and brought Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip to the fore again.
In a press release on Monday, Haneyya strongly denounced what he called Israel's piracy against one of the Freedom Flotilla boats and described its action as a reflection of its terrorist approach.
"This piracy confirms the occupation's policy of violating international law and reflects its terrorist approach of banning freedom of sailing to and from Gaza," the Hamas official said.
He slammed Israel's interception of a boat boarded by noted political figures like former Tunisian president Mohamed al-Marzouki as a violation of international and diplomatic norms.
The Hamas official expressed his appreciation to all activists and political figures for their participation in the third Freedom Flotilla campaign, affirming that Gaza received their solidarity message.
In a press release on Monday, Haneyya strongly denounced what he called Israel's piracy against one of the Freedom Flotilla boats and described its action as a reflection of its terrorist approach.
"This piracy confirms the occupation's policy of violating international law and reflects its terrorist approach of banning freedom of sailing to and from Gaza," the Hamas official said.
He slammed Israel's interception of a boat boarded by noted political figures like former Tunisian president Mohamed al-Marzouki as a violation of international and diplomatic norms.
The Hamas official expressed his appreciation to all activists and political figures for their participation in the third Freedom Flotilla campaign, affirming that Gaza received their solidarity message.
Protesters gathered Monday evening in central Ramallah to celebrate the release of hunger striking prisoner Khader Adnan and to express solidarity with the activists from one of the boats of the Freedom Flotilla III coalition, which are destined for Gaza to break the siege.
Marianne, a Swedish vessel from the city of Gothenburg, was approached early Monday by three Israeli military boats in international waters, intercepted by the IOF and diverted to Ashdod.
“We are protesting tonight in solidarity with the activists. We demand their release” said Lema Nazeeh, board member of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee who organized the protest, to PNN.
Protesters from the village of Bil’in, including children, built their own version of Marianne of Gothenburg with wooden painted plates surrounding a large vehicle. It took around 10 hardworking people just one day to complete, explained Mohammad Khatib from Bil’in, who was in charge of the construction. On board were the children who built it.
The Marianne that sailed off from the port of Gothenburg was carrying humanitarian aid and solar panels as the Gaza strip lacks electricity and has been blockaded by Israel since 2006, when Hamas won the elections against their rivals, Fatah.
In a statement, the Israeli military reported that “use of force was unnecessary” and that “the process was uneventful”.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition released a statement refuting that of the Israeli military, saying:
“We have no reason to believe that Marianne’s capture was “uneventful”, because the last time the IDF said something like that, in 2012, the people on board the “Estelle” were badly tasered and beaten with clubs. Back in 2010, ten passengers of Mavi Marmara were murdered by the IDF during a similar operation in international waters”.
They condemned Israel’s seizure of the boat, calling it an “act of state piracy” and a “violation of international maritime law”.
Marianne, a Swedish vessel from the city of Gothenburg, was approached early Monday by three Israeli military boats in international waters, intercepted by the IOF and diverted to Ashdod.
“We are protesting tonight in solidarity with the activists. We demand their release” said Lema Nazeeh, board member of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee who organized the protest, to PNN.
Protesters from the village of Bil’in, including children, built their own version of Marianne of Gothenburg with wooden painted plates surrounding a large vehicle. It took around 10 hardworking people just one day to complete, explained Mohammad Khatib from Bil’in, who was in charge of the construction. On board were the children who built it.
The Marianne that sailed off from the port of Gothenburg was carrying humanitarian aid and solar panels as the Gaza strip lacks electricity and has been blockaded by Israel since 2006, when Hamas won the elections against their rivals, Fatah.
In a statement, the Israeli military reported that “use of force was unnecessary” and that “the process was uneventful”.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition released a statement refuting that of the Israeli military, saying:
“We have no reason to believe that Marianne’s capture was “uneventful”, because the last time the IDF said something like that, in 2012, the people on board the “Estelle” were badly tasered and beaten with clubs. Back in 2010, ten passengers of Mavi Marmara were murdered by the IDF during a similar operation in international waters”.
They condemned Israel’s seizure of the boat, calling it an “act of state piracy” and a “violation of international maritime law”.
29 june 2015
The European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza (ECESG) stated that Freedom Flotilla 3 will continue to sail towards Gaza shores despite the Israeli act of piracy against Marianne boat that leads the flotilla.
Member of the ECESG Rami Abdo said in a press conference on Monday that the three additional ships will set sail within 48 hours.
Abdo called on the Arab countries and the international community to take firm positions against the Israeli act of piracy in the Mediterranean.
For his part, head of the campaign Mazen Kahil said that the Freedom Flotilla will continue to sail till breaking the siege on Gaza.
Israeli hijacking of Marianne reveals Israel’s ugly image and its crime against humanity and peaceful activists, he added.
The international coalition to support the Freedom Flotilla sent appeals to the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to protect the former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki who is among 18 other activists aboard Marianne which was intercepted by Israeli navy forces at dawn Monday.
In his turn, head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza and founding member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition Zaher Birawi affirmed in a press release on Monday that three boats of the Israeli navy had surrounded Marianne in international waters, while sailing approximately 100 nautical miles from Gaza coast.
After that we lost contact with the Marianne and at 05:11 AM (Gaza time) the Israeli authorities announced that they had “visited and searched” Marianne, Birawi said, adding that they captured the boat and detained all on board “in international waters” as they admitted themselves.
Member of the ECESG Rami Abdo said in a press conference on Monday that the three additional ships will set sail within 48 hours.
Abdo called on the Arab countries and the international community to take firm positions against the Israeli act of piracy in the Mediterranean.
For his part, head of the campaign Mazen Kahil said that the Freedom Flotilla will continue to sail till breaking the siege on Gaza.
Israeli hijacking of Marianne reveals Israel’s ugly image and its crime against humanity and peaceful activists, he added.
The international coalition to support the Freedom Flotilla sent appeals to the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to protect the former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki who is among 18 other activists aboard Marianne which was intercepted by Israeli navy forces at dawn Monday.
In his turn, head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza and founding member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition Zaher Birawi affirmed in a press release on Monday that three boats of the Israeli navy had surrounded Marianne in international waters, while sailing approximately 100 nautical miles from Gaza coast.
After that we lost contact with the Marianne and at 05:11 AM (Gaza time) the Israeli authorities announced that they had “visited and searched” Marianne, Birawi said, adding that they captured the boat and detained all on board “in international waters” as they admitted themselves.
Hamas on Monday slammed Israel for hijacking the Freedom Flotilla III while setting sail to the blockaded Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the siege, dubbing the interception a flagrant violation of international law.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement: “Israel’s abduction of the pro-Palestine activists on board of the Marianne is a manifestation of Israel’s insolence and intents to tighten the noose around Gaza’s neck.”
Abu Zuhri called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the international community to take up their responsibilities and speak up against the crime.
“The message sent by the Freedom Flotilla has been well received. Now Israel is caught in act and the whole world can see the crime of the blockade as plainly as the nose on one’s face,” he said.
The Israeli navy at dawn Monday hijacked the Swedish Marianne vessel, one of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla boats. The ship was taken over and commandeered by Israeli gunboats to the port of Ashdod.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement: “Israel’s abduction of the pro-Palestine activists on board of the Marianne is a manifestation of Israel’s insolence and intents to tighten the noose around Gaza’s neck.”
Abu Zuhri called on UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the international community to take up their responsibilities and speak up against the crime.
“The message sent by the Freedom Flotilla has been well received. Now Israel is caught in act and the whole world can see the crime of the blockade as plainly as the nose on one’s face,” he said.
The Israeli navy at dawn Monday hijacked the Swedish Marianne vessel, one of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla boats. The ship was taken over and commandeered by Israeli gunboats to the port of Ashdod.
The Gaza Action Ireland (GAI) group strongly condemned this morning’s attack by Israel on the ships of the Freedom Flotilla and calls for an end to the illegal, immoral siege of Gaza.
As the people of Gaza waited expectantly on the shores of the besieged enclave, and as the ships of Freedom Flotilla 3 sailed towards them in solidarity and to highlight the siege, Israeli forces boarded the Marianne and kidnapped the crew. Two other ships were turned back after ‘interception’ by Israel.
As with previous campaigns by human rights activists to reach Gaza by sea, Freedom Flotilla 3 had been sailing in international waters over which Israel has no sovereignty, making the latter’s interference in the boats an act of piracy.
The 48 participants on board the flotilla from 17 countries include human rights activists, journalists, artists, and political figures, one of them a Palestinian Member of the Knesset. Members of our own organization have previously sailed with many of those aboard and were attacked, kidnapped and illegally held by Israel. GAI commends the work of solidarity groups to continue bravely to highlight the siege of Gaza.
“We remember only too well the lengths Israel went to maintain its illegal siege of Gaza, from attacking ships, murdering nine people on the Mavi Marmara and imprisoning and deporting peace activists, as well as stealing our vessels, aid materials and equipment.” GAI coordinator Mags O’Brien said.
The situation in Gaza has become increasingly grim and even before last summer’s murderous 51 day assault by Israel where more than 2,200 people, including more than 530 children were killed, NGOs and civil society were warning of extreme humanitarian disaster. Since then, almost no rebuilding has taken place with up to 100,000 people having spent the winter in makeshift tents, sleeping in schools and structurally unsound buildings.
The UN’s most recent inquiry into the situation on Gaza published earlier this month reports on massive emotional and psychological wounds felt by Palestinians as a result of the blockade and the most recent military assault on Gaza.
Israel and Egypt have maintained the blockade since 2007, increasing its intensity to unprecedented levels since the last major military assault on Gaza in the summer of 2014. Patients needing to travel outside the Strip have died as a result of this closure, which amounts to forced imprisonment in the territory.
Zoe Lawlor, GAI coordinator, said, “We call on Israel to immediately lift the siege of Gaza, to open the port, to allow all materials for reconstruction to enter and to cease its imprisonment of the Palestinians living there.
“We also call on the Irish government to cease its arms trade with Israel and to push for sanctions on that state until the latter ends its apartheid policies and daily violations of international law. It is an affront to humanity that Israel is not held accountable for the suffering it continues to inflict.”
Gaza Action Ireland, which grew out of the Irish Ship to Gaza initiative, is a solidarity group that organises civil-society contacts between Ireland and Palestinians in the Gaza strip. It is responsible for the Windows Into Gaza art exhibition that is currently touring Ireland, and it is planning to bring a team of young footballers from Gaza to play in Ireland in the coming year. In addition to artists and sports clubs, it has also forged links with fishermen, journalists, human-rights activists and providers of emergency services.
As the people of Gaza waited expectantly on the shores of the besieged enclave, and as the ships of Freedom Flotilla 3 sailed towards them in solidarity and to highlight the siege, Israeli forces boarded the Marianne and kidnapped the crew. Two other ships were turned back after ‘interception’ by Israel.
As with previous campaigns by human rights activists to reach Gaza by sea, Freedom Flotilla 3 had been sailing in international waters over which Israel has no sovereignty, making the latter’s interference in the boats an act of piracy.
The 48 participants on board the flotilla from 17 countries include human rights activists, journalists, artists, and political figures, one of them a Palestinian Member of the Knesset. Members of our own organization have previously sailed with many of those aboard and were attacked, kidnapped and illegally held by Israel. GAI commends the work of solidarity groups to continue bravely to highlight the siege of Gaza.
“We remember only too well the lengths Israel went to maintain its illegal siege of Gaza, from attacking ships, murdering nine people on the Mavi Marmara and imprisoning and deporting peace activists, as well as stealing our vessels, aid materials and equipment.” GAI coordinator Mags O’Brien said.
The situation in Gaza has become increasingly grim and even before last summer’s murderous 51 day assault by Israel where more than 2,200 people, including more than 530 children were killed, NGOs and civil society were warning of extreme humanitarian disaster. Since then, almost no rebuilding has taken place with up to 100,000 people having spent the winter in makeshift tents, sleeping in schools and structurally unsound buildings.
The UN’s most recent inquiry into the situation on Gaza published earlier this month reports on massive emotional and psychological wounds felt by Palestinians as a result of the blockade and the most recent military assault on Gaza.
Israel and Egypt have maintained the blockade since 2007, increasing its intensity to unprecedented levels since the last major military assault on Gaza in the summer of 2014. Patients needing to travel outside the Strip have died as a result of this closure, which amounts to forced imprisonment in the territory.
Zoe Lawlor, GAI coordinator, said, “We call on Israel to immediately lift the siege of Gaza, to open the port, to allow all materials for reconstruction to enter and to cease its imprisonment of the Palestinians living there.
“We also call on the Irish government to cease its arms trade with Israel and to push for sanctions on that state until the latter ends its apartheid policies and daily violations of international law. It is an affront to humanity that Israel is not held accountable for the suffering it continues to inflict.”
Gaza Action Ireland, which grew out of the Irish Ship to Gaza initiative, is a solidarity group that organises civil-society contacts between Ireland and Palestinians in the Gaza strip. It is responsible for the Windows Into Gaza art exhibition that is currently touring Ireland, and it is planning to bring a team of young footballers from Gaza to play in Ireland in the coming year. In addition to artists and sports clubs, it has also forged links with fishermen, journalists, human-rights activists and providers of emergency services.
Naval special forces take control of ship, which carried 20 activists including MK Basel Ghattas, without violence.
Shayetet 13, the naval special forces unit of the Israeli Navy, seized control of the boat "Marianne" on Sunday night, as it made its way to the Gaza Strip as part of a Swedish flotilla. The seizure was short and there were no casualties.
The IDF said that the seizure was in accordance with the decision of the political echelon, and after exhausting all diplomatic channels.
"When it became clear that the passengers had no intention to cooperate and proceed to the port of Ashdod, it was decided to seize the vessel and to transport it to Ashdod port," an IDF official said.
Besides the "Marianne", the commandos saw two other ships, which refrained from nearing Gaza and turned back. A fourth ship is believed to have turned back beforehand.
The activists aboard the "Marianne" are expected to be questioned upon their arrival in Israel and then expelled abroad through Ben Gurion International Airport.
Following the seizure, videos by the participants were published online. "The Israelis acted like pirates again, took us as hostages, and prevented us from reaching Gaza," said former Israeli and left-wing activist Dror Feiler.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he commended "the determined and effective detention of the passengers who tried to enter Gaza's shores illegally. This flotilla is nothing but a display of hypocrisy and lies, which only helps the terrorist organization Hamas and ignores all the atrocities in our region."
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon added: "This flotilla was not a humanitarian one and was not concerned for anyone's welfare. The participants' desire was to continue the campaign of Israel's de-legitimization. This is part of the spectacle of hypocrisy and lies of various bodies in the world, which prefer to strengthen and support a ruthless terrorist organization like Hamas. There is no siege on Gaza, and Israel is the only entity in the region that allows a constant entry of various commodities and the carrying out of humanitarian projects. But we have no intention of allowing any entity to smuggle weapons that will be directed against us."
There were 18 passengers aboard the "Marianne", including Joint Arab List MK Basel Ghattas, former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki and Feiler. It was accompanied by three smaller boats: "Rachel," with eight passengers on board; "Vittorio" with nine passengers on board; and "Juliano II" with 12 passengers.
The flotilla carried 47 pro-Palestinian activists on the four boats. The navy carefully tracked the vessels' movements and prepared its plan for stopping the flotilla. It was believed that the commandos would make contact with the activists a few dozen kilometers away from Israeli shores. On Sunday night, the flotilla's organizers said on Twitter that three ships had approached the flotilla and were recognized as belonging to the IDF. They said the closest ship was 500 meters away.
The Prime Minister's Office on Sunday published a missive to be given to the activists upon their arrival.
"It looks like you took a wrong turn," read the letter. "Perhaps you meant to sail to a place not far from here - Syria. Where Assad's regime is slaughtering its people on a daily basis, and this is done with the support of Iran's murderous regime."
The military considered the flotilla an attempt at provocation and that its troops will not fall into any traps. The commandos taking over the boats will offer the activists food and drinks, the army said Sunday.
As a lesson learned from the capture of the "Mavi Marmara flotilla" in 2010, the commandos were told to document the takeover so the IDF Spokesman's Office can quickly distribute the footage to world media before the activists could post its own image of victory.
MK Basel Ghattas, whose participation in the flotilla was first made public by Ynet, on Sunday sent a letter from the open sea to Netanyahu and Ya'alon, calling on them to refrain from using force and to instruct security forces to allow the ships to enter Gaza.
Israeli navy hijacks Gaza-bound "Marianne"
The European campaign to end the siege on Gaza said the Israeli navy at dawn Monday intercepted and seized "Marianne of Gothenburg," one of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla boats.
According to a press release by the European campaign, the Swedish boat Marianne was hijacked and then escorted by Israeli gunboats to the port of Ashdod.
The campaign expressed its condemnation of the navy's attack on a vessel attempting to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip and described it as an "act of piracy."
It affirmed that the Freedom Flotilla Coalition would continue its efforts to send boats to Gaza until the Israeli blockade imposed on its population ended.
The Marianne was taken over and boarded by Israeli naval soldiers around 100 nautical miles from the shore of Gaza before it was forced to change its direction to Ashdod, according to activists from the Freedom Flotilla campaign.
In a related context, organizers of the third Freedom Flotilla campaign said that three of their boats were able to sail back to the European ports they had come from in accordance with a plan they had prepared earlier.
Shayetet 13, the naval special forces unit of the Israeli Navy, seized control of the boat "Marianne" on Sunday night, as it made its way to the Gaza Strip as part of a Swedish flotilla. The seizure was short and there were no casualties.
The IDF said that the seizure was in accordance with the decision of the political echelon, and after exhausting all diplomatic channels.
"When it became clear that the passengers had no intention to cooperate and proceed to the port of Ashdod, it was decided to seize the vessel and to transport it to Ashdod port," an IDF official said.
Besides the "Marianne", the commandos saw two other ships, which refrained from nearing Gaza and turned back. A fourth ship is believed to have turned back beforehand.
The activists aboard the "Marianne" are expected to be questioned upon their arrival in Israel and then expelled abroad through Ben Gurion International Airport.
Following the seizure, videos by the participants were published online. "The Israelis acted like pirates again, took us as hostages, and prevented us from reaching Gaza," said former Israeli and left-wing activist Dror Feiler.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he commended "the determined and effective detention of the passengers who tried to enter Gaza's shores illegally. This flotilla is nothing but a display of hypocrisy and lies, which only helps the terrorist organization Hamas and ignores all the atrocities in our region."
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon added: "This flotilla was not a humanitarian one and was not concerned for anyone's welfare. The participants' desire was to continue the campaign of Israel's de-legitimization. This is part of the spectacle of hypocrisy and lies of various bodies in the world, which prefer to strengthen and support a ruthless terrorist organization like Hamas. There is no siege on Gaza, and Israel is the only entity in the region that allows a constant entry of various commodities and the carrying out of humanitarian projects. But we have no intention of allowing any entity to smuggle weapons that will be directed against us."
There were 18 passengers aboard the "Marianne", including Joint Arab List MK Basel Ghattas, former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki and Feiler. It was accompanied by three smaller boats: "Rachel," with eight passengers on board; "Vittorio" with nine passengers on board; and "Juliano II" with 12 passengers.
The flotilla carried 47 pro-Palestinian activists on the four boats. The navy carefully tracked the vessels' movements and prepared its plan for stopping the flotilla. It was believed that the commandos would make contact with the activists a few dozen kilometers away from Israeli shores. On Sunday night, the flotilla's organizers said on Twitter that three ships had approached the flotilla and were recognized as belonging to the IDF. They said the closest ship was 500 meters away.
The Prime Minister's Office on Sunday published a missive to be given to the activists upon their arrival.
"It looks like you took a wrong turn," read the letter. "Perhaps you meant to sail to a place not far from here - Syria. Where Assad's regime is slaughtering its people on a daily basis, and this is done with the support of Iran's murderous regime."
The military considered the flotilla an attempt at provocation and that its troops will not fall into any traps. The commandos taking over the boats will offer the activists food and drinks, the army said Sunday.
As a lesson learned from the capture of the "Mavi Marmara flotilla" in 2010, the commandos were told to document the takeover so the IDF Spokesman's Office can quickly distribute the footage to world media before the activists could post its own image of victory.
MK Basel Ghattas, whose participation in the flotilla was first made public by Ynet, on Sunday sent a letter from the open sea to Netanyahu and Ya'alon, calling on them to refrain from using force and to instruct security forces to allow the ships to enter Gaza.
Israeli navy hijacks Gaza-bound "Marianne"
The European campaign to end the siege on Gaza said the Israeli navy at dawn Monday intercepted and seized "Marianne of Gothenburg," one of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla boats.
According to a press release by the European campaign, the Swedish boat Marianne was hijacked and then escorted by Israeli gunboats to the port of Ashdod.
The campaign expressed its condemnation of the navy's attack on a vessel attempting to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip and described it as an "act of piracy."
It affirmed that the Freedom Flotilla Coalition would continue its efforts to send boats to Gaza until the Israeli blockade imposed on its population ended.
The Marianne was taken over and boarded by Israeli naval soldiers around 100 nautical miles from the shore of Gaza before it was forced to change its direction to Ashdod, according to activists from the Freedom Flotilla campaign.
In a related context, organizers of the third Freedom Flotilla campaign said that three of their boats were able to sail back to the European ports they had come from in accordance with a plan they had prepared earlier.
28 june 2015
Four boats carrying 47 pro-Palestinian activists will be welcomed with letter from PM: 'It looks like you took a wrong turn. Perhaps you meant to sail to a place not far from here - Syria'.
The Navy has been preparing to meet on Monday a flotilla carrying 47 pro-Palestinian activists to the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade.
The Navy commandos are expected to meet the four boats at an undetermined time - sometimes between the early morning hours and evening time, some dozens of kilometers from the coasts of Israel. There are 18 passengers aboard the main boat, Swedish vessel "Marianne av Göteborg," including Joint Arab List MK Basel Ghattas, former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki and activist Dror Feiler.
The "Marianne" is accompanied by three smaller boats: "Rachel," with eight passengers on board; "Vittorio" with nine passengers on board; and "Juliano II" with 12 passengers. The commandos will try to take over the boats using non-violent measures and lead them to the Navy base in Ashdod. After the takeover, the activists will be taken for questioning upon their arrival to Israel and then expelled out of the country through Ben-Gurion Airport.
The Prime Minister's Office decided to take an unusual approach to the flotilla's arrival. The activists on board the four boats will receive a letter when they arrive in Israel welcoming them to the country and adding, "It looks like you took a wrong turn. Perhaps you meant to sail to a place not far from here - Syria. Where Assad's regime is slaughtering its people on a daily basis, and this is done with the support of Iran's murderous regime."
The letter goes on to say that "If you were truly interested in human rights, you would not be sailing in solidarity with a terror regime that executes Gaza residents without trial, and uses the children of Gaza as a human shield."
"Here in Israel we are dealing with a reality in which terror organizations like Hamas are trying to harm innocent civilians. We are protecting the citizens of Israel against these attempts in accordance with international law," the letter continues.
"Despite this, Israel is aiding in the transfer of goods and humanitarian aid to Gaza - some 800 trucks a day, which transported over 1.6 million tons of goods over the past year ... Israel is aiding hundreds of humanitarian projects using international organizations, including building clinics and hospitals.
"However, we will not allow the transfer of weapons to terror organizations in Gaza, as has been done before through the sea. Only a year ago we thwarted an attempt to smuggle via the sea hundreds of arms meant to hurt innocent civilians." The PMO stresses that "there is no siege of the Gaza Strip, and you are welcomed to transfer any humanitarian equipment through Israel," adding that "preventing entrance (to Gaza) through the sea is done in accordance with international law, and even has the backing of a UN committee."
The IDF, meanwhile, said the flotilla was an attempt at provocation and that its troops will not fall into any traps. The commandos taking over the boats will offer the activists food and drinks, the army said.
As a lesson learned from the takeover of the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010, the commandos will document the takeover and the IDF Spokesman's Office will work to quickly distribute the footage to world media before the activists could post a "victory picture" of their own.
The Navy has been preparing to meet on Monday a flotilla carrying 47 pro-Palestinian activists to the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade.
The Navy commandos are expected to meet the four boats at an undetermined time - sometimes between the early morning hours and evening time, some dozens of kilometers from the coasts of Israel. There are 18 passengers aboard the main boat, Swedish vessel "Marianne av Göteborg," including Joint Arab List MK Basel Ghattas, former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki and activist Dror Feiler.
The "Marianne" is accompanied by three smaller boats: "Rachel," with eight passengers on board; "Vittorio" with nine passengers on board; and "Juliano II" with 12 passengers. The commandos will try to take over the boats using non-violent measures and lead them to the Navy base in Ashdod. After the takeover, the activists will be taken for questioning upon their arrival to Israel and then expelled out of the country through Ben-Gurion Airport.
The Prime Minister's Office decided to take an unusual approach to the flotilla's arrival. The activists on board the four boats will receive a letter when they arrive in Israel welcoming them to the country and adding, "It looks like you took a wrong turn. Perhaps you meant to sail to a place not far from here - Syria. Where Assad's regime is slaughtering its people on a daily basis, and this is done with the support of Iran's murderous regime."
The letter goes on to say that "If you were truly interested in human rights, you would not be sailing in solidarity with a terror regime that executes Gaza residents without trial, and uses the children of Gaza as a human shield."
"Here in Israel we are dealing with a reality in which terror organizations like Hamas are trying to harm innocent civilians. We are protecting the citizens of Israel against these attempts in accordance with international law," the letter continues.
"Despite this, Israel is aiding in the transfer of goods and humanitarian aid to Gaza - some 800 trucks a day, which transported over 1.6 million tons of goods over the past year ... Israel is aiding hundreds of humanitarian projects using international organizations, including building clinics and hospitals.
"However, we will not allow the transfer of weapons to terror organizations in Gaza, as has been done before through the sea. Only a year ago we thwarted an attempt to smuggle via the sea hundreds of arms meant to hurt innocent civilians." The PMO stresses that "there is no siege of the Gaza Strip, and you are welcomed to transfer any humanitarian equipment through Israel," adding that "preventing entrance (to Gaza) through the sea is done in accordance with international law, and even has the backing of a UN committee."
The IDF, meanwhile, said the flotilla was an attempt at provocation and that its troops will not fall into any traps. The commandos taking over the boats will offer the activists food and drinks, the army said.
As a lesson learned from the takeover of the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010, the commandos will document the takeover and the IDF Spokesman's Office will work to quickly distribute the footage to world media before the activists could post a "victory picture" of their own.
The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza said that the Greek Port Authority is concocting justifications to prevent launching the fifth Freedom Flotilla boat and that it thoroughly checked the boat's papers on Sunday and postponed its launching.
The International Committee said that this is a deliberate act aimed at preventing the boat from reaching the four other boats (small ships) that are waiting in the international waters to head to Gaza.
Head of the International Committee Zaher Birawi said in a press statement that this will not negatively affect Freedom Flotilla; because most of its objectives have already been achieved so far and he affirmed that the fifth boat will reach Gaza as soon as possible.
Birawi revealed that political leaders in the ruling party in Greece are trying to remove these fabricated obstacles.
In this context, Birawi called for more popular and official pressure to break Israel's unjust blockade on Gaza, and demanded all pro-Palestinian committees and institutions to stage sit-ins in solidarity with the Freedom Flotilla in front of the Israeli embassies all around the world and to increase pressure on Israel by all possible means.
The last group of activists, who are waiting for sailing permission, consists of 20 participants including two Jordanian MPs, a Spanish member of the European Parliament, a South African university professor and others.
The International Committee said that this is a deliberate act aimed at preventing the boat from reaching the four other boats (small ships) that are waiting in the international waters to head to Gaza.
Head of the International Committee Zaher Birawi said in a press statement that this will not negatively affect Freedom Flotilla; because most of its objectives have already been achieved so far and he affirmed that the fifth boat will reach Gaza as soon as possible.
Birawi revealed that political leaders in the ruling party in Greece are trying to remove these fabricated obstacles.
In this context, Birawi called for more popular and official pressure to break Israel's unjust blockade on Gaza, and demanded all pro-Palestinian committees and institutions to stage sit-ins in solidarity with the Freedom Flotilla in front of the Israeli embassies all around the world and to increase pressure on Israel by all possible means.
The last group of activists, who are waiting for sailing permission, consists of 20 participants including two Jordanian MPs, a Spanish member of the European Parliament, a South African university professor and others.
The besieged Gaza people nowadays are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the boats of the third Freedom Flotilla campaign, which are slated to reach the Palestinian waters in the next few days.
Many citizens have expressed their hope that the third Freedom Flotilla campaign can succeed in its mission and be able to break Israel's blockade on Gaza.
If weather conditions are favorable and there are no Israeli obstacles, the flotilla, which consists of five boats, may arrive in Gaza between two and four days.
Human rights activists and noted figures from all over the world are aboard the flotilla, and have been joined by an Arab Knesset members Basel Ghattas and Tunisia's former president Mohamed al-Marzouki.
The participants in the campaign aims to break Israel's inhumane blockade on Gaza people, show solidarity with them and bring humanitarian aid to the needy.
Many citizens have expressed their hope that the third Freedom Flotilla campaign can succeed in its mission and be able to break Israel's blockade on Gaza.
If weather conditions are favorable and there are no Israeli obstacles, the flotilla, which consists of five boats, may arrive in Gaza between two and four days.
Human rights activists and noted figures from all over the world are aboard the flotilla, and have been joined by an Arab Knesset members Basel Ghattas and Tunisia's former president Mohamed al-Marzouki.
The participants in the campaign aims to break Israel's inhumane blockade on Gaza people, show solidarity with them and bring humanitarian aid to the needy.
On June 26th 2015, four boats of the 2015 the Freedom Flotilla III set sail toward Gaza to try to break Israel's nine-year-long economic siege on Gaza. The ships are planning to sail from international waters directly into Palestinian waters, with no Israeli involvement. But just hours after setting sail, the captain of one of the ships took note of a military reconnaissance plane that appeared to be tracking the ships.
The captain of the lead ship, 'The Marianne', noticed military vessels and reconnaissance planes near Marianne on Saturday afternoon. The crew could not identify nationality for neither the vessels or the planes. The vessel and plane disappeared around 5pm, and the crew has not seen any sign of them since then.
According to a statement by the group, the Flotilla is due to reach Gaza in just a few days. Participants on board include about 50 human rights activists, journalists, artists, and political figures representing 17 countries. This is the third Freedom Flotilla, in addition to nine single boats that have undertaken to sail to Gaza, beginning in 2008 when several voyages reached Gaza City harbor and returned to Europe after their mission of bringing supplies and solidarity to the people of Gaza.
Israeli forces attacked every subsequent attempt to break the siege on Gaza by sea, seizing the humanitarian goods, medical supplies and water treatment equipment on the ships and arresting the participants. In an attack which garnered international attention, Israeli paratroopers dropped onto a Freedom Flotilla ship called the 'Mavi Marmara' and began shooting the passengers, killing nine.
In the current Freedom Flotilla, a converted fishing trawler, dubbed the 'Marianne of Gothenburg' left Sweden in May to join the flotilla and has made numerous stops along its journey around Europe. Marianne is carrying solar panels that will help alleviate the serious problem of electricity in Gaza, as well .as medical equipment. Three other sailing vessels (Rachel, Vittorio and Juliano II) are accompanying Marianne in its mission to break the blockade of Gaza, in solidarity with the 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza. With different strategies and different itineraries, the group says they will continue to sail until the blockade is lifted and Gaza’s port is open.
Dr. Basel Ghattas, a member of the Israeli Knesset, is on board one of the ships, as well as Dr. Moncef Marzouki, former President of Tunisia, the first president after the 2011 popular uprising. Members of parliament from Spain, Jordan, Greece and Algeria are also on board, together with members of European Parliament. Ten of the current participants and crew have been on previous missions. Media outlets on board the flotilla are Al Jazeera, Euronews, Maori TV (New Zealand), Al-Quds TV, Channel 2 TV (Israel) and Russia Today TV, as well as several independent print journalists.
Over 100 European Parliamentarians have signed a letter to the EU’s High Representative, Federica Mogherini, in support of the Freedom Flotilla and calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza.
The captain of the lead ship, 'The Marianne', noticed military vessels and reconnaissance planes near Marianne on Saturday afternoon. The crew could not identify nationality for neither the vessels or the planes. The vessel and plane disappeared around 5pm, and the crew has not seen any sign of them since then.
According to a statement by the group, the Flotilla is due to reach Gaza in just a few days. Participants on board include about 50 human rights activists, journalists, artists, and political figures representing 17 countries. This is the third Freedom Flotilla, in addition to nine single boats that have undertaken to sail to Gaza, beginning in 2008 when several voyages reached Gaza City harbor and returned to Europe after their mission of bringing supplies and solidarity to the people of Gaza.
Israeli forces attacked every subsequent attempt to break the siege on Gaza by sea, seizing the humanitarian goods, medical supplies and water treatment equipment on the ships and arresting the participants. In an attack which garnered international attention, Israeli paratroopers dropped onto a Freedom Flotilla ship called the 'Mavi Marmara' and began shooting the passengers, killing nine.
In the current Freedom Flotilla, a converted fishing trawler, dubbed the 'Marianne of Gothenburg' left Sweden in May to join the flotilla and has made numerous stops along its journey around Europe. Marianne is carrying solar panels that will help alleviate the serious problem of electricity in Gaza, as well .as medical equipment. Three other sailing vessels (Rachel, Vittorio and Juliano II) are accompanying Marianne in its mission to break the blockade of Gaza, in solidarity with the 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza. With different strategies and different itineraries, the group says they will continue to sail until the blockade is lifted and Gaza’s port is open.
Dr. Basel Ghattas, a member of the Israeli Knesset, is on board one of the ships, as well as Dr. Moncef Marzouki, former President of Tunisia, the first president after the 2011 popular uprising. Members of parliament from Spain, Jordan, Greece and Algeria are also on board, together with members of European Parliament. Ten of the current participants and crew have been on previous missions. Media outlets on board the flotilla are Al Jazeera, Euronews, Maori TV (New Zealand), Al-Quds TV, Channel 2 TV (Israel) and Russia Today TV, as well as several independent print journalists.
Over 100 European Parliamentarians have signed a letter to the EU’s High Representative, Federica Mogherini, in support of the Freedom Flotilla and calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza.
Passengers of the Freedom Flotilla III bound for Gaza have announced that one of the boats, named Juliano after the co-founder and director of The Freedom Theatre, Juliano Mer Khamis who was assassinated in 2011, has been sabotaged.
Divers damaged the boat’s propellers, causing it to take in water and the boat barely made it into port in Greece before it sank. On Saturday June 27th, passengers reported that the flotilla was followed by an unidentified patrol boat and a military aircraft.
Israel has engaged in a massive campaign to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza, threatening the participants in a similar fashion as during earlier attempts to break the illegal siege on Gaza. In 2010, Israeli troops attacked a similar flotilla in international waters, killing ten of the activists on board and detaining many others.
Juliano Mer Khamis oftentimes declared that he was 100% Jewish and 100% Palestinian. He spoke of the necessity of a bi-national state where true democracy and justice may rule. Juliano's work and vision inspired many people worldwide to act for justice in Palestine. The Freedom Flotilla does the same.
The sabotage of a boat named after a freedom fighter that believed in art as the most righteous form of resistance, proves to what length Israel is willing to go to silence criticism and activism against the occupation and apartheid system.
The boat Juliano is part of an international Freedom Flotilla Coalition calling for an end to the inhuman siege on Gaza, which violates the most basic human rights of the Palestinian people.
The Flotilla comes less than a year after Israel’s brutal war against the Gaza strip in which more than 2,200 Palestinians were killed.
The Freedom Theatre welcomes the Freedom Flotilla initiative just like we welcome any other form of legitimate resistance against the Israeli oppression.
No single person, organization or movement can overcome the Israeli occupation and apartheid, but by considering us all part of a joint movement, supporting and complementing each other, we can and will succeed in bringing justice and peace to Palestine.
In just a few days the Freedom Flotilla will reach international waters outside the coast of Gaza, carrying more than 50 people from over 20 countries.
The boats are also carrying urgently needed supplies and most importantly a message of solidarity to the besieged population of Gaza.
The Freedom Theatre wishes the flotilla a safe and successful journey to Gaza! Long live the Freedom Flotilla, long live Gaza and Palestine!
Website: https://freedomflotilla.org and https://ff3.freedomflotilla.org
Twitter: @GazaFFlottilla, @ShiptogazaSE
Divers damaged the boat’s propellers, causing it to take in water and the boat barely made it into port in Greece before it sank. On Saturday June 27th, passengers reported that the flotilla was followed by an unidentified patrol boat and a military aircraft.
Israel has engaged in a massive campaign to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza, threatening the participants in a similar fashion as during earlier attempts to break the illegal siege on Gaza. In 2010, Israeli troops attacked a similar flotilla in international waters, killing ten of the activists on board and detaining many others.
Juliano Mer Khamis oftentimes declared that he was 100% Jewish and 100% Palestinian. He spoke of the necessity of a bi-national state where true democracy and justice may rule. Juliano's work and vision inspired many people worldwide to act for justice in Palestine. The Freedom Flotilla does the same.
The sabotage of a boat named after a freedom fighter that believed in art as the most righteous form of resistance, proves to what length Israel is willing to go to silence criticism and activism against the occupation and apartheid system.
The boat Juliano is part of an international Freedom Flotilla Coalition calling for an end to the inhuman siege on Gaza, which violates the most basic human rights of the Palestinian people.
The Flotilla comes less than a year after Israel’s brutal war against the Gaza strip in which more than 2,200 Palestinians were killed.
The Freedom Theatre welcomes the Freedom Flotilla initiative just like we welcome any other form of legitimate resistance against the Israeli oppression.
No single person, organization or movement can overcome the Israeli occupation and apartheid, but by considering us all part of a joint movement, supporting and complementing each other, we can and will succeed in bringing justice and peace to Palestine.
In just a few days the Freedom Flotilla will reach international waters outside the coast of Gaza, carrying more than 50 people from over 20 countries.
The boats are also carrying urgently needed supplies and most importantly a message of solidarity to the besieged population of Gaza.
The Freedom Theatre wishes the flotilla a safe and successful journey to Gaza! Long live the Freedom Flotilla, long live Gaza and Palestine!
Website: https://freedomflotilla.org and https://ff3.freedomflotilla.org
Twitter: @GazaFFlottilla, @ShiptogazaSE