25 sept 2016
London-based activists and supporters sailed on the River Thames on Saturday in solidarity with the Women’s Boat to Gaza (WBG).
Speakers and activists at the event called on the international community to urge their governments to take action and pressure Israel to lift its one-decade long illegal blockade.
They also urged the international community to push for providing the boats with international protection and ensure their safe passage to the shores of Gaza.
Vyara Gylsen, spokeswoman for the International Commission to Break the Siege in Gaza-London said: “Women have gathered from all over the world in solidarity with the people in Gaza who are being prevented from accessing their most basic human rights and to highlight the role women play in their struggle for freedom”.
She added: “We cannot be with the Women’s Boat to Gaza or with the people in Gaza, but today we showed that we are with them in spirit and are wishing them a safe trip to Gaza.”
Shadia Edwards-Dashti, National Officer at the Stop the War Coalition, also said: “It is our duty as activists here in the UK to campaign to end the arms trading with Israel which funds the brutal mass killings in Palestine.”
“I am so honored to be part of this women-only solidarity event, where women dominate the space, lead the space, sail into the space for equality and justice,” she further stated.
The WBG is an initiative launched on International Women’s Day this year, aiming to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and to raise awareness of Palestinian women’s role in resistance.
The WBG will sail from Messina Italy to Gaza to denounce and break the illegal and inhumane siege on Gaza and is due to arrive in early October.
It will be entirely crewed by women who have arrived from all over the world to participate.
Notable participants include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi, prominent Algerian journalist Khadija Benguenna, Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire (Northern Ireland), Marama Davidson, Green Party MP (New Zealand), Sameera Thwaifiya MP (Algeria), and Cigdem Topcuoglu, a professional Turkish athlete and coach who sailed on the Mavi Marmara in 2010 and whose husband was among the ten activists killed by Israeli forces on that voyage.
Speakers and activists at the event called on the international community to urge their governments to take action and pressure Israel to lift its one-decade long illegal blockade.
They also urged the international community to push for providing the boats with international protection and ensure their safe passage to the shores of Gaza.
Vyara Gylsen, spokeswoman for the International Commission to Break the Siege in Gaza-London said: “Women have gathered from all over the world in solidarity with the people in Gaza who are being prevented from accessing their most basic human rights and to highlight the role women play in their struggle for freedom”.
She added: “We cannot be with the Women’s Boat to Gaza or with the people in Gaza, but today we showed that we are with them in spirit and are wishing them a safe trip to Gaza.”
Shadia Edwards-Dashti, National Officer at the Stop the War Coalition, also said: “It is our duty as activists here in the UK to campaign to end the arms trading with Israel which funds the brutal mass killings in Palestine.”
“I am so honored to be part of this women-only solidarity event, where women dominate the space, lead the space, sail into the space for equality and justice,” she further stated.
The WBG is an initiative launched on International Women’s Day this year, aiming to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and to raise awareness of Palestinian women’s role in resistance.
The WBG will sail from Messina Italy to Gaza to denounce and break the illegal and inhumane siege on Gaza and is due to arrive in early October.
It will be entirely crewed by women who have arrived from all over the world to participate.
Notable participants include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi, prominent Algerian journalist Khadija Benguenna, Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire (Northern Ireland), Marama Davidson, Green Party MP (New Zealand), Sameera Thwaifiya MP (Algeria), and Cigdem Topcuoglu, a professional Turkish athlete and coach who sailed on the Mavi Marmara in 2010 and whose husband was among the ten activists killed by Israeli forces on that voyage.
23 sept 2016
Zaytouna-Olive ship reached Friday Messina Port northeast of the Italian island of Sicily after leaving the Spanish port of Barcelona, and then France on its way to Gaza Strip.
A number of solidarity activists are scheduled to join the flotilla from Sicily port. Zaytouna ship, carrying 13 foreign activists from different Arab and western countries, is scheduled to reach Gaza Strip by the end of October.
Meanwhile, sister ship Amal-Hope remains in Barcelona following her return to the port because of mechanical problems. Organizers are actively pursuing a new ship and will be launching a campaign to defray this additional cost.
The flotilla came amid growing calls to provide it with international protection in light of the Israeli escalated threats to the organizers.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
A number of solidarity activists are scheduled to join the flotilla from Sicily port. Zaytouna ship, carrying 13 foreign activists from different Arab and western countries, is scheduled to reach Gaza Strip by the end of October.
Meanwhile, sister ship Amal-Hope remains in Barcelona following her return to the port because of mechanical problems. Organizers are actively pursuing a new ship and will be launching a campaign to defray this additional cost.
The flotilla came amid growing calls to provide it with international protection in light of the Israeli escalated threats to the organizers.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
The Palestinian MP and head of the popular committee to break the siege on Gaza Jamal al-Khudari called for an international protection for the women’s boat to Gaza.
The Zaytouna boat with 30 women on board had left two weeks ago for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.
Khudari called for an international intervention to exert real pressure on the Israeli authorities not to stop the boat or to attack the participants.
He also called for lifting the siege on Gaza, opening its border crossings, re-establishing its airport and a waterway linking Palestine to the world, in addition to providing a safe passage between Gaza and the West Bank.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
The list of passengers include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi; al-Jazeera’s renowned Algerian journalist Khadija Benguenna; Malin Björk, a Member of European Parliament from Sweden; Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq; and Dr. Fauziah Modh Hasan, a Malaysian physician who has participated in many humanitarian missions with the Malaysian Medical Relief Society.
The Zaytouna boat with 30 women on board had left two weeks ago for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.
Khudari called for an international intervention to exert real pressure on the Israeli authorities not to stop the boat or to attack the participants.
He also called for lifting the siege on Gaza, opening its border crossings, re-establishing its airport and a waterway linking Palestine to the world, in addition to providing a safe passage between Gaza and the West Bank.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
The list of passengers include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi; al-Jazeera’s renowned Algerian journalist Khadija Benguenna; Malin Björk, a Member of European Parliament from Sweden; Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq; and Dr. Fauziah Modh Hasan, a Malaysian physician who has participated in many humanitarian missions with the Malaysian Medical Relief Society.
22 sept 2016
The Women’s Boat to Gaza (Zaytouna-Oliva) left the port of Ajaccio at 09:30, this morning. It is due to arrive later this week in Messina, Sicily, Italy, where it will dock for the last time, prior to sailing to challenge the illegal blockade of Gaza.
One of the participants aboard, Lisa Gay Hamilton said, according to the PNN: “It is an honour to be here and join this extraordinary group of women.
This issue is bigger than me, than any of us. As a mother, as a daughter, as a sister, I cannot help thinking of Palestinian women in Gaza, who live in an open-air prison because of the occupation. It is so painful to think of them, we have to take action to end the blockade of Gaza.”
A full list of the participants on this leg is available at: https://wbg.freedomflotilla.org/participants
Lucia Intruglio, spokesperson and one of the local organizers in Messina said: “We are very pleased to host the women on Zaytouna-Oliva before they embark on this historic voyage.” During their stay in Messina, all of the women will participate in non-violence training, whilst finalizing supplies and equipment for the boat.
A previous Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship, the Marianne av Göteborg from Sweden, departed from Sicily last year. It however was raided in international waters by the Israeli Occupation Forces.
When asked whether the Zaytouna-Oliva will reach its destination, Intruglio replied: “Our destination remains the conscience of humanity.
It is up to every one of us to help them succeed in this.”
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
One of the participants aboard, Lisa Gay Hamilton said, according to the PNN: “It is an honour to be here and join this extraordinary group of women.
This issue is bigger than me, than any of us. As a mother, as a daughter, as a sister, I cannot help thinking of Palestinian women in Gaza, who live in an open-air prison because of the occupation. It is so painful to think of them, we have to take action to end the blockade of Gaza.”
A full list of the participants on this leg is available at: https://wbg.freedomflotilla.org/participants
Lucia Intruglio, spokesperson and one of the local organizers in Messina said: “We are very pleased to host the women on Zaytouna-Oliva before they embark on this historic voyage.” During their stay in Messina, all of the women will participate in non-violence training, whilst finalizing supplies and equipment for the boat.
A previous Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship, the Marianne av Göteborg from Sweden, departed from Sicily last year. It however was raided in international waters by the Israeli Occupation Forces.
When asked whether the Zaytouna-Oliva will reach its destination, Intruglio replied: “Our destination remains the conscience of humanity.
It is up to every one of us to help them succeed in this.”
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
19 sept 2016
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said efforts have been underway to purchase a new ship to replace Amal following a sudden breakdown.
Chairman of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, Zaher al-Biraoui, said that as Zaytouna-Oliva makes its way towards Ajaccio, France, the Women’s Boat to Gaza is expected to receive a warm welcome from activists and human rights advocates.
The boat includes the Tunisian MP Latifa al-Habashi and the prominent Algerian journalist Khadeeja Benguenna. Meanwhile, sister ship Amal-Hope remains in Barcelona following mechanical problems.
He added that organizers are actively looking for a new ship and will be launching a campaign to defray this additional cost. Zaytouna-Oliva is estimated to arrive in Ajaccio on Monday, September 19.
The international anti-siege committee said the trip will achieve its expected goals despite the attempts of the Israeli occupation and its allies to thwart such a humanitarian mission. The committee cited statements published by the Israeli Maariv newspaper on the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s efforts to minimize possible diplomatic and media harm caused by the flotilla.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries. One of the two boats with all-women crews set sail Wednesday for the Gaza Strip from Barcelona, Spain. It is planning to travel across the Mediterranean and break the Israeli blockade on Gaza by delivering much-needed medical supplies to the besieged enclave.
The participants in the siege-breaking boat hail from fifteen different countries and include members of Parliament and other dignitaries.
Chairman of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, Zaher al-Biraoui, said that as Zaytouna-Oliva makes its way towards Ajaccio, France, the Women’s Boat to Gaza is expected to receive a warm welcome from activists and human rights advocates.
The boat includes the Tunisian MP Latifa al-Habashi and the prominent Algerian journalist Khadeeja Benguenna. Meanwhile, sister ship Amal-Hope remains in Barcelona following mechanical problems.
He added that organizers are actively looking for a new ship and will be launching a campaign to defray this additional cost. Zaytouna-Oliva is estimated to arrive in Ajaccio on Monday, September 19.
The international anti-siege committee said the trip will achieve its expected goals despite the attempts of the Israeli occupation and its allies to thwart such a humanitarian mission. The committee cited statements published by the Israeli Maariv newspaper on the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s efforts to minimize possible diplomatic and media harm caused by the flotilla.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries. One of the two boats with all-women crews set sail Wednesday for the Gaza Strip from Barcelona, Spain. It is planning to travel across the Mediterranean and break the Israeli blockade on Gaza by delivering much-needed medical supplies to the besieged enclave.
The participants in the siege-breaking boat hail from fifteen different countries and include members of Parliament and other dignitaries.
The Palestinian MP and head of the popular committee to break the siege on Gaza Jamal al-Khudari called for an international protection for the women’s boat to Gaza in light of the Israeli threats against the flotilla.
Two boats, Amal and Zaytouna, with 30 women, have left last week for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.
The flotilla was organized by the International Committee for breaking the Siege on Gaza.
According to the committee, the Zaytouna-Oliva reached international waters safely after midnight on Saturday on their way to the next European port of call in the French city of Ajaccio.
However, its sister ship Amal-Hope returned to Barcelona due to technical problems. Once the Amal-Hope’s technical repairs are complete, organizers of the journey will assess the possibility of sailing directly to the final port of call in Messina, Italy, the committee added.
Such events do not seem by chance. There are real risks and threats to the boat, he said. He called for a diplomatic intervention from the countries participating in the flotilla in order to provide the boats with international protection.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
The list of passengers include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi; al-Jazeera’s renowned Algerian journalist Khadija Benguenna; Malin Björk, a Member of European Parliament from Sweden; Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq; and Dr. Fauziah Modh Hasan, a Malaysian physician who has participated in many humanitarian missions with the Malaysian Medical Relief Society.
Two boats, Amal and Zaytouna, with 30 women, have left last week for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.
The flotilla was organized by the International Committee for breaking the Siege on Gaza.
According to the committee, the Zaytouna-Oliva reached international waters safely after midnight on Saturday on their way to the next European port of call in the French city of Ajaccio.
However, its sister ship Amal-Hope returned to Barcelona due to technical problems. Once the Amal-Hope’s technical repairs are complete, organizers of the journey will assess the possibility of sailing directly to the final port of call in Messina, Italy, the committee added.
Such events do not seem by chance. There are real risks and threats to the boat, he said. He called for a diplomatic intervention from the countries participating in the flotilla in order to provide the boats with international protection.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
The list of passengers include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi; al-Jazeera’s renowned Algerian journalist Khadija Benguenna; Malin Björk, a Member of European Parliament from Sweden; Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq; and Dr. Fauziah Modh Hasan, a Malaysian physician who has participated in many humanitarian missions with the Malaysian Medical Relief Society.
18 sept 2016
Due to technical problems, the Women’s Boat to Gaza Amal-Hope returned to Barcelona and its sister ship Zaytouna-Oliva left on Friday after it was temporarily hindered by the port authorities.
According to the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza, the Zaytouna-Oliva reached international waters safely after midnight on Saturday on their way to the next European port of call in the French city of Ajaccio.
Once the Amal-Hope’s technical repairs are complete, organizers of the journey will assess the possibility of sailing directly to the final port of call in Messina, Italy.
30 international female activists are aboard these two Gaza-bound boats, which are sponsored by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The Women's Boat to Gaza campaign seeks not only to challenge the Israeli blockade, but to also show solidarity with and bring a message of hope to the Palestinian people.
According to the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza, the Zaytouna-Oliva reached international waters safely after midnight on Saturday on their way to the next European port of call in the French city of Ajaccio.
Once the Amal-Hope’s technical repairs are complete, organizers of the journey will assess the possibility of sailing directly to the final port of call in Messina, Italy.
30 international female activists are aboard these two Gaza-bound boats, which are sponsored by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The Women's Boat to Gaza campaign seeks not only to challenge the Israeli blockade, but to also show solidarity with and bring a message of hope to the Palestinian people.
16 sept 2016
Arab member of Israeli Knesset Hanin Zoabi will participate in the new flotilla of international activists that aims to break the siege on Gaza, Israeli media sources revealed.
Israel Hayom newspaper said that MK Zoabi will join the women’s boat to break the siege on Gaza. Two boats, Amal and Zaytouna, with 30 women on board, have left Wednesday evening for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.
The passengers, including Swedish European Parliament Member Malin Bjork and Dr. Fouzia Hassan of Malaysia, aim to reach Gaza by early October. Last time the Women's Boat to Gaza attempted to deliver aid to the territory in 2015, the Israeli navy boarded and took over its vessel, Marianne.
The boat was taken to the Israeli port city of Ashdod. In 2010, a similar bid to break the blockade by a Turkish flotilla resulted in the killing of 10 activists by Israeli commandos, and caused a diplomatic row between Ankara and Israel.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently described the blockade as "a collective punishment for which there must be accountability.
Israel Hayom newspaper said that MK Zoabi will join the women’s boat to break the siege on Gaza. Two boats, Amal and Zaytouna, with 30 women on board, have left Wednesday evening for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.
The passengers, including Swedish European Parliament Member Malin Bjork and Dr. Fouzia Hassan of Malaysia, aim to reach Gaza by early October. Last time the Women's Boat to Gaza attempted to deliver aid to the territory in 2015, the Israeli navy boarded and took over its vessel, Marianne.
The boat was taken to the Israeli port city of Ashdod. In 2010, a similar bid to break the blockade by a Turkish flotilla resulted in the killing of 10 activists by Israeli commandos, and caused a diplomatic row between Ankara and Israel.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently described the blockade as "a collective punishment for which there must be accountability.
The National Commission for Breaking the Siege and Reconstructing the Gaza Strip has set up a plan to warmly welcome the Women’s Boat to Gaza flotilla set to dock at the enclave sometime soon.
The commission’s spokesman Adham Abu Salmiyeh said the flotilla marks another stopover in the ongoing journey to break the Israeli siege on Gaza.
According to Abu Salmiyeh, the Women’s Boat to Gaza campaign is a reminder to the international community of its duties vis-à-vis two millions of people struggling for survival under a nearly one-decade-long illegitimate blockade.
The activist warned of the repercussions of a projected Israeli attack on the solidarity fleet as was the case with Freedom Flotilla III last year.
A new flotilla of international female activists left for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona on Wednesday evening, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.
Two sailing boats, Amal and Zaytouna, with 30 women from different nationalities onboard, put out to sea on way to the blockaded Gaza Strip, carrying food and medicine that will hopefully be distributed to civilians upon arrival. Sailing under the banner “Women’s Boat to Gaza,” the activists aim to carry a message of hope and solidarity to Gazans.
The list of passengers include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi; al-Jazeera’s renowned Algerian journalist Khadija Benguenna; Malin Björk, a Member of European Parliament from Sweden; Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq; and Dr. Fauziah Modh Hasan, a Malaysian physician who has participated in many humanitarian missions with the Malaysian Medical Relief Society.
While they come from very different cultural and professional backgrounds, they all share a common bond and find the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of Palestine absolutely unacceptable.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
The commission’s spokesman Adham Abu Salmiyeh said the flotilla marks another stopover in the ongoing journey to break the Israeli siege on Gaza.
According to Abu Salmiyeh, the Women’s Boat to Gaza campaign is a reminder to the international community of its duties vis-à-vis two millions of people struggling for survival under a nearly one-decade-long illegitimate blockade.
The activist warned of the repercussions of a projected Israeli attack on the solidarity fleet as was the case with Freedom Flotilla III last year.
A new flotilla of international female activists left for the Gaza Strip from the Spanish city of Barcelona on Wednesday evening, hoping to break a nearly decade-long Israeli blockade.
Two sailing boats, Amal and Zaytouna, with 30 women from different nationalities onboard, put out to sea on way to the blockaded Gaza Strip, carrying food and medicine that will hopefully be distributed to civilians upon arrival. Sailing under the banner “Women’s Boat to Gaza,” the activists aim to carry a message of hope and solidarity to Gazans.
The list of passengers include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi; al-Jazeera’s renowned Algerian journalist Khadija Benguenna; Malin Björk, a Member of European Parliament from Sweden; Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq; and Dr. Fauziah Modh Hasan, a Malaysian physician who has participated in many humanitarian missions with the Malaysian Medical Relief Society.
While they come from very different cultural and professional backgrounds, they all share a common bond and find the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of Palestine absolutely unacceptable.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.