New Aid Mission By Sea To Gaza

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Monday January 12, 2009 23:05

by Miriam

World needs to shine a spotlight on this mission to keep it safe

It set sail from Cyprus today. Report below. Word of this mission needs to be spread around the world and its progress monitored very carefully. These people are really vulnerable. Given what we have just witnessed in Gaza we know Israel is capable of violent defiance of world opinion, of law and of even basic humanitarian considerations and that it thinks nothing of murdering innocent people intent only on providing humanitarian aid. John Ging of UNWRA has reported how he had to withdraw UN aid workers because they were being deliberately, and repeatedly targetted by the very IDF units they had negotiated with for safe passage into Gaza to help relieve suffering. He called a halt to the effort when the IDF murdered one of them and has given explicit interviews with Al Jazeera English since. Let's hope this boat doesnt suffer the same fate.

"SOLIDARITY activists, doctors and MPs set sail on an aid mission for Gaza from Cyprus on Monday, as Israel deployed reservists to back up soldiers struggling to quash resistance in Gaza City.

This is the second time since Israel began its assault on Gaza on December 27 that Free Gaza Movement (FGM) activists have tried to break the Israeli blockade of the coastal enclave, where Tel Aviv's attacks have so far claimed the lives of over 910 Palestinians and wounded around 4,000.

Last month, an FGM boat was forced to turn back after an Israeli naval vessel rammed into it.

This time, a 66-foot Greek-flagged boat is carrying 34 passengers, including six doctors and MPs from Greece, Belgium and Spain, as well as dried food, flour, baby formula, nappies and medical supplies. FGM has notified Israeli authorities of the trip.

FGM organiser Huwaida Arraf said: "I can't anticipate what the Israelis are going to do, but I know we won't be turned back easily.

"If they ram us again or use force against us, it will be nothing less than a premeditated attack against a defenceless boat," Ms Arraf emphasised.

Israel has sent a message to Larnaca authorities saying that the boat would be turned back.

Greek Socialist Party (PASOK) deputy Sofia Sakoraf said that she wanted to show solidarity with those who are suffering.

And Dubai-based eye surgeon Ali Dabbagh said that he planned to work in Gaza for four weeks.

"I'm not afraid. There's more fear of me looking back in the mirror and seeing someone who hadn't done anything," Mr Dabbagh said.

The UN human rights council adopted a resolution condemning Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip yesterday and accused Tel Aviv of "grave" human rights violations.

The resolution, which calls for the establishment of a fact-finding mission to investigate Israeli violations against Palestinians, was passed after 33 African, Asian, Arab and Latin American countries had voted in favour and 13 European states had abstained.

Canada was the only country to vote against.

Meanwhile, an aid consignment from the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Transport Federation, the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions and the Palestine General Federation Of Trade Unions has arrived in Egypt en route to Gaza.

The cargo, including three ambulances, a range of medical supplies, milk for babies, rice, wheat and children's food, will be distributed by the Red Crescent

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/world/activists...ssion

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Comments (7 of 7)

Into Hell.

by Vincent

Wed Jan 14, 2009 15:43

The Spirit of humanity is on the way to Gaza again, nothing left to say but good luck.
A grim threshold has just been crossed as the death toll in the massacre reaches 0ver 1000.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/12/20....html

Gettting in to Gaza.

Wed Jan 14, 2009 02:08

Perhaps redjade, you could give me the info of where it says FGM are going to try the Egypt route over a fraught Gaza route?

Thats what i am suggesting - that they try the Egypt route, which as evidenced by previous convoys, is more likely to be successful in terms of actually getting there.

Vincent, you need to get out more

by redjade

Wed Jan 14, 2009 01:38

If you read their website http://freegaza.org
and the Voices for Creative Nonviolence website http://vcnv.org/

you will find that people are doing just that.

Perhaps ?

Wed Jan 14, 2009 01:27

What about sailing to Egypt and using their resources to highlight the actual situation on that border. This Egypt / Gaza border is critical in every way.

They have a better chance of getting through there. Other convoys have gotten through in recent days.

Vincent

Tue Jan 13, 2009 19:27

There is never a wrong time for trying to do the right thing. Right now is when aid is needed in Gaza most of all and all attempts to get it there while people are injured, sick and dying and in dire need otherwise is EXACTLY the right time to attempt it. Israel is killing people who attempt to bring aid. Are we to accept that and turn our backs on them? No, fight the good fight - always and in every way possible. It's never the wrong time.

Not the right time.

Tue Jan 13, 2009 16:38

According to unconfirmed reports on Al Jazeera "twitter" the mission failed last night due to technical problems. There doesnt seem to be too much information forthcoming at this stage.
These people are great heroes and have my utmost respect but I have to say that my gut feeling on this voyage is that it is a bad idea.
They will not be allowed through by Israel who last I heard had imposed a thirty mile cordon on the approach by sea and designated the whole are a closed military zone. They risk being killed outright by a "stray shell" from an Israeli deathship and they could easily be rammed into the ocean and if they dont lose their lives they will lose their boat and the supplies.
They can achieve no practical effect at this point in time as far as physical aid reaching the Gazans by sea. As far as achieving a symbolic effect, this is also impossible at this point in time with so much going on, their story will not register amongst the mayhem.
In short , its a huge risk with no foreseeable advantages.

There must be a better way for these corageous people to apply their dedication and their resources.

More details from the Cyprus Mail

Mon Jan 12, 2009 23:22

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=43434

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New Aid Mission By Sea To Gaza

Comments (7 of 7)