Demand the release of the humanitarian activists illegally detained by Israel!
Reageer (0)Former U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney among
activists captured while transporting vital supplies to Gaza
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A ship carrying desperately needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza was attacked and boarded by Israeli forces today. Former U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney was among the 21 humanitarian activists on board of the “Spirit of Humanity.”
The ship was approached by the Israeli Navy while approximately 20 miles off the coast of Gaza, and redirected to the Israeli city of Ashdod. All passengers have reportedly been taken into custody. The ship was sailing through international waters and flying a Greek flag.
A Free Gaza Movement press release quoted Cynthia McKinney on the incident: “This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip. President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that’s exactly what we tried to do.”
Palestinians in Gaza have been living in horrific conditions under a criminal blockade for more than two years. The humanitarian crisis was deeply aggravated by the 22-day Israeli bombing campaign last December and January. The U.S. government has stood by Israel and its crimes, continuing to provide political and material support to the tune of $15 million a day.
Despite appeals by the Red Cross to lift the blockade, the Israeli government continues to prevent the movement of vital supplies, including food and medicine. The Red Cross has laid blame on the blockade for ill-health, soaring unemployment and economic collapse in the small territory that is home to 1.5 million Palestinians.
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