PURE DAAD VAN ZEEROVERIJ DOOR ISRAEL....UPDATE. Israeli Occupation Forces kidnapped 21 Human Rights workers aboard the Free Gaza boat...
Reageer (5)
Ask what crime is being committed by giving the people in Gaza medicines, toys, and pencils? (H.)
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'The abduction of human rights workers bound for Gaza: UK House of Commons debate the actions of the Israeli Navy'
13-7-2009
(LONDON) - The UK House of Commons will tonight be debating the interception of a boat in international waters by the Israeli Navy and the abduction of six British civilians on board. The debate[1] will be led by Emily Thornberry, MP, and constituent MP for Alex Harrison, a human rights worker who was one of those abducted.
On June 30th 2009 a small ferry, carrying 21 unarmed civilians and a small amount of humanitarian aid, was forcibly boarded by armed Israeli commandos as it sailed towards the partially destroyed seaport of Gaza city, in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The boat, the Spirit of Humanity, was in international waters at the time it was taken. Through the night prior to the boarding, the boat had been sailing only by compass after its navigational systems had been jammed by Israeli war ships which had surrounded and trailed the boat. The Navy has also threatened to fire on those on board. Following the boarding, in which the Al Jazeera journalists on board had their cameras taken, and in which at least one passenger was assaulted, the boat, its cargo and the 21 were forcibly taken to Israel, were they were then charged with illegally entering the country. The British film maker on board, Ishmahil Blagrove, managed to retain footage of the night’s events.[2]
The voyage was the latest attempt by the international Free Gaza movement[3] to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which results in the imprisonment of the 1.5 million population and conditions of desperate poverty and siege conditions for the civilian population.
“People in Gaza are being made to live in subhuman conditions. Children are dying, and governments are silent. It is important to continue sending boats to Gaza to challenge the criminal blockade enforced by the Israeli military,” said Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza organiser and who was on board the Spirit.
Amongst the human rights workers on board was Nobel peace prize winner, Mairead Maguire, Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman from Georgia and award winning British film maker Ishmahil Blagrove. Six of those on board, including the Captain, were British, and after almost a week in Israeli custody the six were deported to Britain.
British supporters of Free Gaza contrast the silence of the British Foreign Office over the abduction and false imprisonment of six of its citizens with their very public reaction to the arrest of British Embassy staff in Iran. The Free Gaza movement is most concerned, however, with what the abduction in international waters reveals about Israeli determination to enforce its illegal blockade, to prevent any attempt by human rights workers to travel to Gaza, and by the silence of international governments, including the British Government, to Israeli actions.
Contact:
Alex Harrison (British passenger): 07824621613. Alex will be available outside the House of Commons from 9.15 p.m. or after the conclusion of the debate for interviews.
Hilary Smith (UK Free Gaza): 07818040982
Greta Berlin or Ramzi Kysia (Free Gaza; Cyprus): +357 99081767
Free Gaza movement www.freegaza.org
-Ends-
[1] Debate, ‘The interception of the boat The Spirit of Humanity’, is due to take place at approximately 10 p.m. Monday 13th July 2009.
[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSFy-pkKtZU
[3] The Free Gaza Movement, a human rights group, sent two boats to Gaza in August 2008. These were the first international boats to land in the port in 41 years. Since August, four more voyages were successful, taking Parliamentarians, human rights workers, and other dignitaries to witness the effects of Israel's draconian policies on the civilians of Gaza. On December 30, their boat, the DIGNITY was rammed in international waters, on its way to deliver emergency medical supplies to the people of Gaza, while they were under the infamous attack by Israel. Contact them at www.freegaza.org. For photos, please check www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
Source
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Video of Israeli Navy threatening and getting ready to board
11-7-2009
The video (7.15 min) is the last footage taken onboard the Spirit Of Humanity before its voyage to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza was prematurely halted by Isreali special forces. It shows the atmosphere inside the cabin as the crew try to negotiate with the Isreali ship via radio.
When you go to the link, there are several paragraphs written about what happened. At the bottom of the page, you will see the video. We are still recovering other video pieces which we will also send out. Ishmahil from RicenPeas and his staff put this one together.
http://www.ricenpeas.com/2009/July/cynthia_mckinney_intvw.html
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Uruknet
“Reckless” to sail in international waters - official
By Stuart Littlewood
11-7-2009
I thought I would share this with you.
Britain’s foreign secretary David Miliband - or rather, a henchman on his behalf – has written to me about the government’s response to Israel’s hijacking of the mercy ship Spirit of Humanity on the high seas and the outrageous treatment of six peace-loving British citizens (including the skipper), en route to Gaza not Israel, who had their gear stolen or damaged and were thrown into Israeli jails. The letter contains the usual wet and meaningless expressions like deplore and press and raise the issue, which are the familiar hallmark of Foreign Office mentality.
And I’m told it is "reckless" to travel in international waters. It should, of course, be safe – and would be if the high and mighty Western allies, always talking big against terror, were to enforce maritime law and rid the Eastern Mediterranean of marauding Israeli pirates.
Miliband’s spokesman says: "The Israeli Navy took control of the Spirit of Humanity on 30 June, diverting it to Ashdod port in Israel. All those on board, including six British nationals, were handed over to Israeli immigration officials. British consular officials had good access to the British detainees and established that they were treated well. The Israeli authorities deported the detainees on 6 July."
Treated well? That’s not what the peaceful seafarers say. They were assaulted, put in fear of their lives and deprived of their liberty for fully a week - a long time in a stinking Israeli jail.
Miliband’s spokesman: "The Foreign Secretary said in the House of Commons on 30 June that it was 'vital that all states respect international law, including the law of the sea. It is also important to say that we deplore the interference by the Israeli navy in the activities of Gazan fishermen'."
Such fine words. Where is the action to back them up? Gaza’s fishermen suffer increasingly unjust restrictions and are still fired on.
Miliband’s spokesman: "When the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, on 1 July he raised the issue with him and asked for clarification about whether or not the Spirit of Humanity had been intercepted in international waters. We will continue to press the Israeli authorities for clarification."
It's well over a week and Lieberman hasn't clarified anything. There’s a surprise! Was the Israeli ambassador in London summoned and given a dressing down? Has London demanded compensation for the Britishers’ losses and damage? Has the boat and its cargo been returned? Have arrangements been made for the aid to be delivered? Our Zionist-leaning government apparently takes pleasure in Britain’s repeated humiliation. Not long ago the British consul-general in Tel Aviv (a woman) was strip-searched by Israeli security perverts.
Miliband’s spokesman: "We regularly remind the Israeli government of its obligations under international law on a variety of issues, including with respect to humanitarian access to Gaza as well as Israel's control of Gazan waters and the effect this has on Gaza's fishing industry."
Ever get the feeling they've switched off their collective hearing aid? What is the point of obligations if they never have to be met? Miliband and the rest should hang their heads in shame, particularly over the Gaza fishing scandal.
Miliband’s spokesman: "As I said on the phone, our Travel Advice makes clear that we advise against all travel to Gaza, including its offshore waters; that it is reckless to travel to Gaza at this time; and that medical and other essential specialist staff needing to travel to Gaza should coordinate their entry to Gaza with the major international humanitarian organisations already on the ground."
Why does London perpetuate the blockade of Gaza by colluding in Israel’s unlawful conduct? Where are the consequences and penalties for breaching international law and all codes of human decency?
On the other point, Gaza's Ministry of Health is surely best placed to know what's needed.
Miliband’s spokesman: "Our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate General in Jerusalem have also similarly advised those wishing to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza to do so through existing humanitarian organisations which can advise, particularly with regards to medicines, [and] which items if any are currently required."
Private suppliers should be free to deliver aid through whatever channels they wish.
Miliband’s spokesman: "The UK has been unequivocal in its calls for Israel to lessen restrictions at the Gaza crossings, allowing the legitimate flow of humanitarian aid, trade and reconstruction goods and the movement of people. This is essential not only for the people of Gaza, but also for the wider stability of the region."
"Unequivocal"? "Essential"? More splendid but empty words. The needs of the crushed and devastated and half-starved people of Gaza have been urgent for 3 years, ever since Britain ganged up with the Zionist axis to bring Gaza to its knees.
Miliband’s spokesman: "Recent events in Gaza are a tragic reminder of the importance of progress on the peace process."
No kidding....... They are also a tragic reminder of the West's perverse failure in its duty to enforce compliance with international law, human rights and UN resolutions.
Miliband’s spokesman: "The UK, with the support of our international allies, will continue to pursue vigorously a comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution, involving a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state."
But never vigorously enough. The world is still waiting after sixty-one years. And let's change those worn-out words around. How does a secure Palestine alongside a viable Israel sound?
Britain and its allies need to try a new tack… like first establishing the rule of international law and forcibly breaking the siege. It’s so blindingly obvious.
Meanwhile, doesn’t the gut-churning, cowardly shambles that is Gaza make you proud to be British? Or American? Or European?
Source
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PressTV
click here (1.51 min)
See also here
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Free Gaza to Israel: We Will Return!
9-7-2009
We in the Free Gaza Movement have been overwhelmed with the good wishes, support, and offers to help that we have received from all over the world ever since our small boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, was high-jacked by the Israeli Navy and its passengers forcibly abducted to Israel. Thank you for your support.
We need your continuing help. If you wish to volunteer with Free Gaza, doing research, writing, or translation, or helping with community organizing in your region, please contact us at volunteer[at]freegaza.org. If you’d like to make a much needed donation, please visit our website at http://www.FreeGaza.org/Donate.
We've been asked what our plans are for the future, given that Israeli Occupation Forces physically rammed one of our civilian ships in December, threatened to open fire on another in January and have now confiscated the SPIRIT, arresting and deporting the human rights workers and journalists aboard.
Our answer is that we will return. We have successfully reached Gaza on five separate occasions, and we will do so again. We will never surrender this struggle.
In the midst of one of the most brutal times in history, working for justice is a constant challenge. We are out-gunned. Our opponents in Israel, and elsewhere, have much greater access to funds and resources, much greater influence in the mainstream media, and have repeatedly shown their willingness to use absolutely obscene levels of violence against even unarmed resistance.
It doesn't matter. The advantage of civil resistance, of non-violent direct action, is that in the end there is no way to oppose it. (bold H.)
The risks we voluntarily accept as internationals in this struggle are significantly less than the risks that are involuntarily imposed upon millions of our Palestinian sisters and brothers living every day under brutal Occupation. We did not seek confrontation with the Israeli Navy. Our greatest desire was and is simply to reach Gaza, to break the illegal siege, to visit our friends and family, and to deliver much needed humanitarian and reconstruction supplies to the people of Gaza. We deplore Israel's use of violent confrontation in order to stop our peaceful missions. Violence depends on our consent or, at the least, on our acceptance. We will not accept Israel's violence.
Israel's over-reaction to our mission has helped to raise awareness of the Gaza crisis all over the world. Over 40,000 news stories, essays, blog entries, action alerts, and radio and television segments have been done on the plight of the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY and its civilian crew. We have done our best to contextualize these reports, and make clear that the injustice done to our 21 campaigners is greatly overshadowed by the injustice imposed upon Palestinians each and every day. The ordeal of 21 internationals pales in comparison to the 11,000 Palestinian political prisoners held in Israeli prisons. The seizure of our small cargo of 3 tons of medical aid and reconstruction kits is insignificant in light of the $4 billion (USD) of aid promised to Gaza - aid that has not and will not be delivered because of the Israeli blockade.
40,000 reports have been written, highlighting our small attempt to break the Israeli siege. Demonstrations have been held across the world protesting what has happened. Embassies and governments have been mobilized to protect their nationals, and there have been dozens of statements from parliamentarians across the world.
Despite having no diplomatic relationship with Israel and refusing to recognize the legitimacy of Israel's government - the King of Bahrain personally & successfully intervened to force Israel to immediately release the 5 Bahraini prisoners kidnapped from the SPIRIT. The General Secretary of the Arab League issued a statement. The Greek government formally intervened with Israel on our behalf. Micheál Martin, Ireland's foreign minister, issued a statement calling both for the release of the prisoners as well as for an immediate end to the continuing Israeli blockade of Gaza. Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the OPT, issued a formal statement calling the seizure of the SPIRIT "unlawful," and re-iterating the need to end the Israeli blockade. The British parliament has scheduled a formal debate on Israel's unlawful abduction of our passengers. And H.E. Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, the respected former prime minister of Malaysia, issued a statement calling on both the Israeli and American governments to release the prisoners and uphold international law by ending the Gaza siege.
These are just a few of the positive results of our last mission to Gaza. History demonstrates that the greatest of injustices can crumble in the blink of an eye when confronted with a well-organized and determined resistance. We will sail again, and we are absolutely determined to reach the Gaza Strip on our next voyage.
Let this short note serve as an official notification to the government of Israel: We will return to Gaza. Israel’s unjust siege will end.
We are organizing to send another mission within the next 6-12 weeks, and we intend to non-violently escalate our response. We will not use violence under any circumstances, but we will not be deterred. By sending more boats on our next voyage, we will significantly escalate the logistical difficulties Israel faces should they decide to violently attack us again. By sending even more parliamentarians, dignitaries, journalists, and humanitarian and human rights workers to accompany the voyage, we will significantly escalate the political difficulties Israel faces should they decide to violently attack us again.
Please support this important work by visiting our website, www.FreeGaza.org, and consider making a donation or volunteering with our movement.
Israel can threaten our boats and passengers - we will keep coming. Israel can illegally disrupt our communications and navigation systems - we will keep coming. Israel can open fire around our boats, or attempt to ram and sink them. Israel can choose to forcibly board and highjack our boats, and abduct the passengers.
We will keep coming. We will sail to Gaza again and again and again, until the Israeli siege is forever shattered and the Palestinian people enjoy the same free access to the rest of the world that is the birthright of all peoples.
Free Gaza! Free Palestine!
www.FreeGaza.org
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Abu Pessoptimist
Somalische piraten? En wat dacht u van Israël? (3)
8-7-2009
Voor de goede orde - omdat de officiële pers het helemaal af laat weten - toch maar even gemeld: de 21 opvarenden van The Spirit of Humanity, zijn dinsdag 7 juli vrijgelaten uit de gevangenis van Ramle. Ze zijn Israël uitgezet, aanklachten tegen hen zijn vervallen en ze hebben geen verklaringen getekend.
De boot die met medicamenten, speelgoed en olijfbomen op weg was naar Gaza werd precies een week eerder door Israël gekaapt. De jurist Richard Falk, rapporteur voor de Commissie voor de Mensenrechten van de VN, noemde het opbrengen vn het schip een daad van piraterij, een duidelijke inbreuk op het internationale recht.
De vorige boot van de Free Gaza Beweging die op weg was naar Gaza werd door de Israëlische marine geramd en wist zwaar beschadigd uit te wijken naar Libanon. Hoe is het eigenlijk mogelijk dat geen enkel land een protest indient tegen dit soort dingen? Wat zou er gebeuren als de Egyptische marine iets dergelijks deed met een Israëlisch schip?
Bron
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It's not about me, It's about Gaza entirely
By Sarah Irving
8-7-2009
Monday 6th July, Heathrow, London Adie Mormech, one of the six British Free Gaza boat passengers and crew deported today from an Israeli jail, says he's raring to return.
The Free Gaza boat Spirit of Humanity was forcibly boarded by the Israeli navy last Tuesday while trying to sail to Gaza through international and Gazan waters. The boat remains at the Israeli port of Ashdod. “Another boat which tried to reach Gaza a few months ago is still there, so we don't have much hope of getting ours back” says Mormech, “but the lawyers are working hard on it and we will be fundraising for new ones.”
Of the experience of being boarded by Israeli soldiers, Mormech remained upbeat about his memories. “The soldiers were trying to look intimidating,” he said, “but the boat was rocking so much that they kept sliding all over the place and falling over each other... the Special Forces weren't looking so special!”
Of his time in the Israeli immigration jail at Ramle, though, he emphasised the appalling conditions for people – mainly from Africa and South East Asia – being held there for years at a time. “It was like dipping your toe in an enormous pool of lost people,” said Mormech. He described the jail, where Free Gaza prisoners were helped by fellow inmates with mobile phones and in return gave English lessons and took testimonies, as a 'hellhole.' Many of the inmates, he said, have no money for lawyers, and described one individual from Cote d'Ivoire who had been incarcerated for two years with no hope of legal representation or release.
And, said Mormech, the inconsistencies and irregularities of the Israeli system which seemed like a “game of cat and mouse” for him as an internationa,l are “of course, a brutal reality governing the lives of thousands of Palestinians.”
“It's not about me, it's about Gaza entirely,” he stressed.
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7-7-2009
Many of you have been asking us what has happened to the kidnapped passengers and our boat, The SPIRIT OF HUMANITY. Here then is our current update.
All 21 passengers have now left. Huwaida and Lubna were freed right away, because they hold Israeli citizenship.
Many passengers did not get all of their belongings back, many computers were stolen, some that were returned had their hard drives completely erased. Many of the pieces of camera equipment were not given back as well, and, of course, none of the tapes of the boarding, roughing up or incarceration of the 21 people who have been returned.
However, all passengers are already in their country or origin or are returning tonight. The London 6 had a press conference last night, the Bahraini 5 had a press conference in Bahrain over the weekend, and the Irish 2 are being feted tonight with a massive rally at Dublin airport. There will be a big reception and press conference there.
The two men from Al Jazeera have both been returned to Jordan through the Allenby bridge.
That leaves the three Americans... Cynthia McKinney, Kathy Sheetz and Adam Shapiro. We hear little from the American media about these three brave passengers, and it will be up to the Americans to express their outrage over their treatment. If they had been kidnapped by the military from Irah or Venezuela, their stories would have been all over the media. Because they were kidnapped by a 'friendly' nation, few in the U.S. have opened their mouths.
As far as Israel is concerned, we will demand that our boat be returned, that our equipment and tapes be returned, and they cease and desist their interference with our human rights trips to Gaza. Because we are going back. Israel can ram our boat, threaten us with bodily harm, shoot at us, board and confiscate the boat, shuttle us off to prison, and we will still return.
The outrage in many countries over what happened is muted by the fact that 11,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli jails, many without benefit of trial, many languishing for years without being able to see their families.
And this fact is something we must all remember. We came from countries around the world. We attempted to break Israel's draconian siege of 1.5 million Palestinians. Even when arrested, the Israelis treated us with kid gloves, afraid of the consequences from governments, activists and human rights organizations. Who will stand up for the Palestinians and do the same thing?
Please go and watch, if you have not already, our video of our incarceration and the incarceration of Palestinian men, woman and children.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ri8jWj_KbY
With grateful thanks from all of us to all of you.
The Free Gaza Team
www.freegaza.org
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
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Video (2.33 min)
Six were allowed to leave Israel
British Gaza boat activists deported by Israel Click here
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REQUEST for volunteers for the Free Gaza Movement!
6-12-2009
Thank you for the fellowship and for the good wishes you have shown us these last days. They have sustained us. As we continuing our groundbreaking work to shatter the Israeli siege of Gaza, we're turning to you, our friends and supporters, for help.
We have a need for volunteers to help us in translations (particularly Arabic and Greek), webwork, research, writing, graphic design and art, and many other areas. If you are interested in volunteering with the Free Gaza Movement, please send us an email to:
volunteer[at]freegaza.org
Please include your contact information, a brief bio, and where you think you'd best be able to contribute. Please be patient with us as we may not be able to respond to every offer right away.
You are our family. If not for you, none of this would be possible. In the midst of all of the pain and difficulty of this terrible crisis - through each and every one of you, we are truly blessed.
www.FreeGaza.org
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Gaza: UN Expert denounces seizure of aid boat by Israeli forces
2-7-2009
GENEVA - The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Richard Falk, denounced the unlawful naval seizure by an Israeli gunboat on the high seas of a ship carrying medicine and reconstruction material to blockaded people of Gaza.
"This Israeli action implements its cruel blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza, in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits any form of collective punishment directed at an occupied people", said the human rights expert.
Mr. Falk pointed to a recent report on the impact on health resulting from the two year blockade, issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross, stressing that Israeli actions not only restrict such vital supplies as food, medicine, and fuel to bare subsistence levels, but has in unprecedented fashion, disallowed the entry to Gaza of building materials and spare parts needed for repairing some of the widespread damage caused by its attacks on the Strip that took place for 22 days starting on December 27, 2008.
"Such a pattern of continuing blockade under these conditions amounts to such a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions as to constitute a continuing crime against humanity", added the independent human rights expert.
The boat in question had been inspected in response to Israeli demands before departure by the port authorities in Cyprus to determine whether there were weapons on board. None were found, and Israeli authorities were so informed.
Nonetheless, the 21 peace activists on the boat were arrested, held in captivity, and have been charged with 'illegal entry' to Israel even though they had no intention of going to Israel. The group included such prominent figures as the Irish winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Mairead Maguire, and the former American congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
See also: http://www.freegaza.org/
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‘Freegaza21’ deportees to arrive at Heathrow 13.30 hours Monday 6th July’
6-7-2009
Press conference: 16.00 (4 p.m.) at the Renaissance Hotel, Bath Rd. Heathrow TW6 2AQ (opposite the Marriot)
On Sunday 5th July the six British crew and passengers of the Spirit of Humanity were moved to detention cells at Ben Gurion Airport, following a court hearing at which the orders for their deportation from Israel were made. The captain of the Spirit, Denis Healey, and the other five British human rights activists, are expected to be put on El Al flight LY315, from Tel Aviv, tomorrow, Monday 6th July 2009, due to arrive at Terminal One, Heathrow at 13.30 p.m.
Friends and family of the six are travelling to Heathrow airport to welcome them and to hear for the first time direct accounts of the forcible boarding by Israel of the Spirit of Humanity, which carried aid and reconstruction supplies, as it travelled from Cyprus towards the port of Gaza on June 30th 2009.
Two of the British deportees, were on board the first Free Gaza boat which, in August 2008, became the first international boat to sail to Gaza in forty two years, since the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip began. The Spirit’s captain also captained the Free Gaza boat the Dignity, which was rammed by Israeli warships during a previous attempt to reach Gaza in December 2008. The deportees also include documentary film maker Ishmahil Blagrove, Director of the film Blood Diamonds. Ishmahil was travelling to Gaza to film the lives of the Palestinian people under siege. Theresa Macdermott, Alex Harrison and Aide Mormesh all planned to remain in Gaza to undertake human rights monitoring and to report on the impact of the continuing blockade.
Press conference: 16.00 (4 p.m.) at the Renaissance Hotel, Bath Rd. Heathrow TW6 2AQ (opposite the Marriot)
www.freegaza.org
Hilary Smith (UK) 07818040982
Greta Berlin (English)tel: +357 99 28 41 02/ friends@freegaza.org
Ramzi Kysia (English)Tel: + 357 99 08 17 67 rrkysia@yahoo.com
Caoimhe Butterly (Arabic/English/Spanish):tel: +357 99 80 96 37 / sahara78@hotmail.co.uk
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UPDATE 6-7 at 02.00 hours
# Israeli jailers denying Mairead, Nobel Laureate, her medicine. Women have no luggage, no change of clothing. In hot room, one tiny window.
about 16 hours ago from web
#
MRegev: We did not kidnap them. They were in "Israeli-controlled" waters. FG: You kidnapped them, stole the boat, tore off the Greek flag.
about 20 hours ago from web
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5-7-2009
The Israeli prison guards are denying the right for Mairead to access her medicine. Continue to email and call Mark Regev and Shlomo Dror and express your outrage over the treatment of the FreeGaza21 while they are imprisoned. The women have no access to their luggage or their clothing.
Mairead is fasting, not just for her friends incarcerated along with her, but for the 11,000 Palestinians also thrown into jail, many without benefit of trial.
Hear her eloquent interview with Al Jazeera below.
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Some UK FreeGaza 21 detainees likely to be deported Monday should arrive to Heathrow 13.30 Monday.
We have just heard that at least 3 of the 6 British FreeGaza detainees are being put on a flight to London in the morning, due to arrive at Heathrow at 13.30 p.m.
Because it is a Sunday and we have only just heard this news, we are trying to spread the word as well as we can - so we'd be really really grateful if you could forward this email to your contacts. Some relatives and supporters will be there to meet them - but we ask anyone in the London area who is able to go to the airport to meet them to do so.
We are currently unable to make contact with the group, who have been moved to cells at Ben Gurion airport detention center. Once we have confirmation that they are on the morning flight, we will post to our website: www.freegaza.org
If you live in the London area, please try and make it down to Heathrow to meet them. We expect to have journalists at the airport to report on their deportation, and we are trying to arrange for a press conference in London for later in the afternoon.
More to follow! ...
www.freegaza.org
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MAIREAD MAGUIRE & DEREK GRAHAM - reports that they will be possibly deported to London, Heathrow tomorrow.
Report from the Kidnapped Passengers in Ramle Prison, July 4, 2009
by Free Gaza Team
5-7-2009
On Monday, June 30, 21 passengers going to challenge the blockade of Gaza on board the Spirit of Humanity were seized by the Israeli Navy and taken to Israel against their will. All their equipment was taken and some of were roughed up. All were thrown into prison to await Israel's decision on how and when they would be deported.
The majority of the group ended up in Ramle Prison. From the first night, the Free Gaza 21 have been busy trying to get news out of the prison about the illegality of Israel's actions in relation to themselves and the other inmates inside Ramle Prison who have no voice.
The Israeli prison guards are denying the right for Mairead to access her medicine. The women have no access to their luggage or their clothing. Mairead is fasting, not just for her friends incarcerated along with her, but for the 11,000 Palestinians also thrown into jail, many without benefit of trial.
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U.S. Department of State Middle East Digest <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/mideastdigest/125541.htm> 01 Jul 2009 briefing on the kidnapped passengers (with the U.S. State Department). The sheer stupidity of the answer boggles your mind.
QUESTION: Erin Connors from Press TV. Former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and members of the Free Gaza Movement were intercepted by the Israeli army when they were on a humanitarian mission over there. What's being done about that? Are they on their way home? Will they be deported? What's the next step there, and will their supplies ever get to where they're going?
ANSWER: IAN KELLY (US government spokesman H.) On that last question, I don't know the answer, actually. I think I have to refer you to the Government of Israel. We can confirm that the Israeli navy did arrest those on board this - the ship which is known as Spirit. We can't comment on any of the individuals or the number of individual American citizens on board because of Privacy Act concern.
Can you *imagine* what would happen if Iran intercepted a vessel and/or incarcerated a former congressperson and Nobel Prize winner?
--
Greta Berlin
Free Gaza Movement
357 99 284 102
www.freegaza.org
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
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Report from the Kidnapped Passengers in Ramle Prison, July 4, 2009
4-7-2009
On Monday, June 30, 21 passengers going to challenge the blockade of Gaza on board the Spirit of Humanity were seized by the Israeli Navy and taken to Israel against their will. All their equipment was taken and some of were roughed up. All were thrown into prison to await Israel’s decision on how and when they would be deported.
The majority of the group ended up in Ramle Prison. Those of us who are Free Gaza organizers had been hearing some news from them, statements, interviews and letters since they arrived. From the first night, the Free Gaza 21 have been busy trying to get news out of the prison about the illegality of Israel’s actions in relation to themselves and the other inmates inside Ramle Prison who have no voice.
Report from E: I received a 2am phone call during one of the first sleepless nights from Ramle Prison to let me know that in one of the cells, four of the FG group had been busy writing a press release on an old phone one of their cellmates had loaned them. It had taken them hours to write the press release. but they were just ready to send it out, and ‘could I check my email to see if I had received it?’
Since that first night I have been hearing more increasingly about the plight of the other inmates of the prison; men and women who have not nearly as good an opportunity as our folk for media coverage of their stories and not nearly as good an opportunity as our folk of ever getting out of Ramle Prison.
To Fathi Jaouadi, Adie Mormesh, Ishmael Blagrove, and Captain Denis Healy, the situation of their fellow inmates is something they want to talk about and act upon. Fathi wanted to pass on news of what they have been doing inside Ramle prison; he wanted to let everyone who supports the Free Gaza Movement know that ‘Free Gaza Members are never lost for things to do when it comes to trying to expose Israel’s appalling treatment of not just Palestinians, but all people who come to Palestine and get caught up in Israel’s abuse of justice and the law.’
Fathi Jaouadi has been actively involved in Palestinian rights since he was 15 years old. Now in Ramle prison, he has already managed to organize a meeting with a UN representative and to raise the issue of the other inmates with him. He said that the UN official has agreed to follow up on some of the cases; Fathi has also been in contact with local NGO’s to raise the issue of many of the inmate’s situations. He told me he wants to focus on the fact that none of the inmates have any access to legal advice or help, most of the inmates have not been able to contact family to let them know of their situation and none of the inmates have committed anything that warrants them to be held indefinitely inside Ramle prison.
Fathi is in the process of collecting statements from all the inmates, and he is translating them from Arabic. He says the majority of the inmates in their cell are from Arab countries, and they have not had access to their embassy officials. He will follow up with the UN and other organizations once he is released, contact all the families and give statements and details to the relevant embassies.
Ishmael Blagrove is a well-known documentary filmmaker and has been speaking extensively about the Palestinian struggle for more than twenty years. In Ramle prison, he has been working tirelessly to get contact with refugee councils and organizations in Britain to present to them the case of the refugees inside. He says that many of the men from neighbouring Arab countries just want to go home, they don’t want to stay in Israel and yet they are not being given the opportunity to speak. Ishmael says that many of the inmates are entitled to legal representation, but they do not know this, nor do they have any idea how to contact any refugee organization to advise them. Ishmael is in the process of establishing links between the refugee councils in Britain and the inmates of his cell in Ramle Prison.
Fathi and Ishmael have already established channels to publish these issues in Britain on their release.
When we called Ramle Prison today Fathi said that Adie had just finished his daily English lesson with the inmates. Adie is reportedly very happy with the progress of his students and said this morning they had successfully completed an intense session on Past Participles. Adie Mormesh has also been very active for the rights of Palestinians for many years. He spent two weeks in the West Bank with the Olive Coop (Zeitoun) and Action Palestine in 2007. He worked with and documented the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction Campaign and participated in the World Social Forums for Palestine in Porto Alegre and Mumbai in 2003 and 2004. He has now become a teacher of English in Ramle prison.
Captain Denis Healey who has been the Free Gaza Movement’s captain since October 2008 and bravely steered the DIGNITY to safety in December when she was attacked by the Israeli Navy at sea, has also been quite busy; he has been giving in-depth lectures to his fellow inmates about life at sea. Apparently there are many interested parties amongst the inmates; some hope that they may pursue a life on the sea when (and sadly if) they ever get out. They are full of questions as to the procedure of getting qualified to work on and sail boats in the Mediterranean, and Captain Denis is giving them a good run down on what they should do to follow such a dream.
This is how four of our passengers have been keeping busy during the past week, they wanted to let you all know; they also said they realize the news they are sending out is not new to any of us. We have all been working with these issues of injustice for years. But that doesn’t mean that every new story about the violation of human rights, about the cruelty, brutality and flagrant misuse of justice by Israel should not be published.
Our friends are stuck in Ramle prison, because they tried to visit the war-stricken people of Gaza, and they are furious at what they are seeing. They know they have generated media interest around the world, and that sooner or later, they will leave Ramle Prison, but they also know that the other inmates of the prison have no such privilege, and without our interest in them, they could well be stuck inside Ramle prison for the rest of their lives, or exiled to some foreign country that is not their home, facing a life without family or loved ones to share it with. And so it is for the 11,000 Palestinian prisoners at present inside Israeli jails. Every one of them has a story that ought to be heard.
Statement #1 taken by Fathi Jaouadi.
From Ramle Prison, 3rd July 2009.
My name is M.
I am 26 years old.
I am a Palestinian born in Al Quds and I hold a birth certificate showing this. My family comes from a village called Sour Bahr.
We have two houses there owned by my grandfather who fled in ’48 to Jordan and left the houses with my Aunt.
When I was 5 years old I went with my family to Jordan to bring back the papers that proved our ownership of these two houses. We stayed in Jordan for 2 years and then, when we had all the papers we came back to Sour Bahr.
I lived all my life in one of the houses and some of my family lived in the other. We always used to make our way between our two houses which were only minutes apart from each other.
However when the Wall was built, it split our two houses apart. It used to take minutes and then it took 4 ½ hours to go from house to house.
The house I lived in was in the West Bank, the other on the side of the Wall that is Al Quds.
When I was 16 I began the process to try and obtain Israeli ID so that I could continue to enter Al Quds and go to our house that was on the other side of the Wall.
Every day my mother would go to the Interior Ministry to try and obtain my ID. She contacted many lawyers about the case but although she worked on this for 8 years, there was no result. During this time I tried often to visit our house on the Al Quds side of the wall and every time I was caught by the Israeli forces and sent back to the West Bank.
When I was 24 years old I had a fight with a friend, I was caught by Israel during the fight and imprisoned for 1 ½ years.
I am a normal Palestinian trying to live a normal life. I am not involved in any political movement and I have no security issues with Israel. I am just trying to live my life, but when I had served my time in prison for fighting with a friend, Israel could not decide where to release me.
My birth certificate said Al Quds but I had no Israeli ID. When Israel started investigating, they discovered that when I was 5 years old I had gone with my family to Jordan for 2 years.
It was then that I was told by an Israeli judge that the Law states:
‘Any Palestinian who spends 2 years outside Israel has no right to return’
I have since seen Judge twice in the past two months. and he has told me that I will be returned to Jordan.
But Jordan has refused to accept me. So now I have been told I will just have to wait in prison.
I am very depressed now and hate my life. I am afraid of how long they will make me wait. It could be years. I am afraid I will be sent to Jordan. I have no one in Jordan. I was there when I was 5 years old! All my family are in Palestine. I know if they send me to Jordan I will never be allowed back into Palestine. I will never be allowed to see my family again. And I have done nothing.
I just want to be allowed to live a simple life with my family and the people I know and love, in my own land.
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UPDATE 4-7 at 15.00 hours
ABOUT 3 HOURS AGO
Israel lied to Bahraini passengers. Told them everyone had been released, so they went home. Now very upset to learn of Israel's mendacity.
ABOUT 3 HOURS AGO
"Has Israel become the place where dreams die? Ask the people of Palestine." Cynthia McKinney, Letter from an Israeli Jail
ABOUT 7 HOURS AGO
"When they boarded the boat we had our faces slammed against the floor, we're fine." Adie, kidnapped passenger from SPIRIT
ABOUT 8 HOURS AGO
"14 of us in 7 by 7 meter cell, searched twice a day, hot, nothing compared to how Palestinians suffer," Adie, kidnapped passenger
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Letter from an Israeli Jail
By Cynthia McKinney
4-7-2009
This is Cynthia McKinney and I’m speaking from an Israeli prison cellblock in Ramle. [I am one of] the Free Gaza 21, human rights activists currently imprisoned for trying to take medical supplies to Gaza, building supplies - and even crayons for children, I had a suitcase full of crayons for children. While we were on our way to Gaza the Israelis threatened to fire on our boat, but we did not turn around. The Israelis high-jacked and arrested us because we wanted to give crayons to the children in Gaza. We have been detained, and we want the people of the world to see how we have been treated just because we wanted to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.
At the outbreak of Israel’s Operation ‘Cast Lead’ [in December 2008], I boarded a Free Gaza boat with one day’s notice and tried, as the US representative in a multi-national delegation, to deliver 3 tons of medical supplies to an already besieged and ravaged Gaza.
During Operation Cast Lead, U.S.-supplied F-16’s rained hellfire on a trapped people. Ethnic cleansing became full scale outright genocide. U.S.-supplied white phosphorus, depleted uranium, robotic technology, DIME weapons, and cluster bombs - new weapons creating injuries never treated before by Jordanian and Norwegian doctors. I was later told by doctors who were there in Gaza during Israel’s onslaught that Gaza had become Israel’s veritable weapons testing laboratory, people used to test and improve the kill ratio of their weapons.
The world saw Israel’s despicable violence thanks to al-Jazeera Arabic and Press TV that broadcast in English. I saw those broadcasts live and around the clock, not from the USA but from Lebanon, where my first attempt to get into Gaza had ended because the Israeli military rammed the boat I was on in international water ... It’s a miracle that I’m even here to write about my second encounter with the Israeli military, again a humanitarian mission aborted by the Israeli military.
The Israeli authorities have tried to get us to confess that we committed a crime ... I am now known as Israeli prisoner number 88794. How can I be in prison for collecting crayons to kids?
Zionism has surely run out of its last legitimacy if this is what it does to people who believe so deeply in human rights for all that they put their own lives on the line for someone else’s children. Israel is the fullest expression of Zionism, but if Israel fears for its security because Gaza’s children have crayons then not only has Israel lost its last shred of legitimacy, but Israel must be declared a failed state.
I am facing deportation from the state that brought me here at gunpoint after commandeering our boat. I was brought to Israel against my will. I am being held in this prison because I had a dream that Gaza’s children could color & paint, that Gaza’s wounded could be healed, and that Gaza’s bombed-out houses could be rebuilt.
But I’ve learned an interesting thing by being inside this prison. First of all, it’s incredibly black: populated mostly by Ethiopians who also had a dream ... like my cellmates, one who is pregnant. They are all are in their twenties. They thought they were coming to the Holy Land. They had a dream that their lives would be better ... The once proud, never colonized Ethiopia [has been thrown into] the back pocket of the United States, and become a place of torture, rendition, and occupation. Ethiopians must free their country because superpower politics [have] become more important than human rights and self-determination.
My cellmates came to the Holy Land so they could be free from the exigencies of superpower politics. They committed no crime except to have a dream. They came to Israel because they thought that Israel held promise for them. Their journey to Israel through Sudan and Egypt was arduous. I can only imagine what it must have been like for them. And it wasn’t cheap. Many of them represent their family’s best collective efforts for self-fulfilment. They made their way to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. They got their yellow paper of identification. They got their certificate for police protection. They are refugees from tragedy, and they made it to Israel only after they arrived Israel told them “there is no UN in Israel.”
The police here have license to pick them up & suck them into the black hole of a farce for a justice system. These beautiful, industrious and proud women represent the hopes of entire families. The idea of Israel tricked them and the rest of us. In a widely propagandized slick marketing campaign, Israel represented itself as a place of refuge and safety for the world’s first Jews and Christian. I too believed that marketing and failed to look deeper.
The truth is that Israel lied to the world. Israel lied to the families of these young women. Israel lied to the women themselves who are now trapped in Ramle’s detention facility. And what are we to do? One of my cellmates cried today. She has been here for 6 months. As an American, crying with them is not enough. The policy of the United States must be better, and while we watch President Obama give 12.8 trillion dollars to the financial elite of the United States it ought now be clear that hope, change, and ‘yes we can’ were powerfully presented images of dignity and self-fulfilment, individually and nationally, that besieged people everywhere truly believed in.
It was a slick marketing campaign as slickly put to the world and to the voters of America as was Israel’s marketing to the world. It tricked all of us but, more tragically, these young women.
We must cast an informed vote about better candidates seeking to represent us. I have read and re-read Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s letter from a Birmingham jail. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined that I too would one day have to do so. It is clear that taxpayers in Europe and the U.S. have a lot to atone for, for what they’ve done to others around the world.
What an irony! My son begins his law school program without me because I am in prison, in my own way trying to do my best, again, for other people’s children. Forgive me, my son. I guess I’m experiencing the harsh reality which is why people need dreams. [But] I’m lucky. I will leave this place. Has Israel become the place where dreams die?
Ask the people of Palestine. Ask the stream of black and Asian men whom I see being processed at Ramle. Ask the women on my cellblock. [Ask yourself:] what are you willing to do?
Let’s change the world together & reclaim what we all need as human beings: Dignity. I appeal to the United Nations to get these women of Ramle, who have done nothing wrong other than to believe in Israel as the guardian of the Holy Land, resettled in safe homes. I appeal to the United State’s Department of State to include the plight of detained UNHCR-certified refugees in the Israel country report in its annual human rights report. I appeal once again to President Obama to go to Gaza: send your special envoy, George Mitchell there, and to engage Hamas as the elected choice of the Palestinian people.
I dedicate this message to those who struggle to achieve a free Palestine, and to the women I’ve met at Ramle. This is Cynthia McKinney, July 2nd 2009, also known as Ramle prisoner number 88794.
---
Cynthia McKinney is a former U.S. Congresswoman, Green Party presidential candidate, and an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice. The first African-American woman to represent the state of Georgia, McKinney served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1993-2003, and from 2005-2007. She was arrested and forcibly abducted to Israel while attempting to take humanitarian and reconstruction supplies to Gaza on June 30th. For more information, please see http://www.FreeGaza.org
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14 of us in the 7 by 7 meter cell
Interview from a kidnapped passenger, Adie Mormech
4-7-2009
Adie Mormech, one of over 21 human rights workers and crew taken prisoner on Tuesday 30th June when their boat was forcibly boarded by the Israeli navy, has spoken by mobile phone from his prison cell at Givon jail, Ramle, near Tel Aviv.
Amongst the other prisoners from the Free Gaza Movement boat, Spirit of Humanity, are Nobel Peace prize winner, Mairead Maguire, and former US Congresswoman, Cythnia McKinney. A message from McKinney on 2nd July condemned Israel for its “illegal” action in “dismantl[ing] our navigation equipment” and confiscating both the ship and its cargo of medical aid, childrens' toys and olive trees.
McKinney went on to say that “State Department and White House officials have not effected our release or taken a strong public stance to condemn the illegal actions of the Israeli Navy of enforcing a blockade of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians of Gaza, a blockade that has been condemned by President Obama.”
The Free Gaza campaign succeeded in entering Gaza by sea on several occasions in 2008, carrying humanitarian aid, medical personnel, journalists and human rights workers. However, later attempts have been met with aggression by the Israeli navy, with one boat, the Dignity, having to seek refuge and repairs in Lebanon after being rammed three times by an Israeli warship.
In a brief interview with Andy Bowman of Manchester's Mule newspaper (http//www.themule.info), Mr Mormech gave the following account:
How are you being treated?
It's bad, but the conditions are OK for me, I've not been beaten up, they're a bit nasty sometimes and when they boarded the boat we had our faces slammed against the floor. It was bad for the older women like Mairead.
The four other UK nationals are in the cell with me. There's 14 of us in the 7 by 7 meter cell which includes the toilet and shower, so very crowded. It's very hot and there's only a tiny window. We get awakened at 6 in the morning for an inspection and have to stand to attention, and then they repeat that at 9 am, and we are only allowed out of the cells for a few hours each day. They keep giving us forms to sign but they are in Hebrew so we don't. Although I'm able to cope here, other people are less comfortable than me in the situation. If we're here for a long time – like some of the other people in here have been – then it will be tough.
Have you had access to a lawyer yet?
We have, and at the moment we're discussing what to do about our deportation. They've taken our personal items – laptops, cameras, phones and many other valuables, and we want to find out where these are. They obviously want to deport us as quickly as possible, but some of us are thinking about fighting the deportation. Firstly on the basis that if we get deported we won't be allowed into the occupied West Bank or Israel for another 10 years, but also, because we didn't intend to come here to Israel – we intended to go to Gaza, and went directly from international waters into Palestinian waters. There is nothing legal about what Israel has done to us grabbing us like this. We're considering fighting the deportation on the grounds that we shouldn't accept and legitimize this barbaric military blockade of Gaza.
If you challenge the deportation could you remain in prison for a while longer?
Yes we could – there's some people that need to get home, but some will challenge. And for those it will be a few more weeks in prison at least, we expect.
And you?
I'm veering towards challenging it on the basis that it's a scar on my name to accept that I shouldn't have been here, but in fact I have every right to go to Gaza just as everyone else does. That's the whole point of these voyages and that's the principle we want to stick to.
Have they told you what has happened to the cargo of the boat?
No, we don't know what they're doing with it. We've been told a lot of lies so far about where we're going and what's happening to us, so we just don't know. They're already prepared to deprive the people of Gaza of a lot of aid anyway.
What is your message to people back in the UK?
This is not about us here in the cells, it's about the denial of human rights to the people of Palestine, and in particular the inhumane blockade of Gaza. People must not forget about what is happening to Gaza. At the moment they are even being denied food and medical supplies. After the carnage of the 1500 people killed in January, we won't forget and we'll keep on going and keep fighting for the human rights of the people of Palestine.
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UPDATE 3-7 at 23.00 hours
ABOUT 2 HOURS AGO
Boat dragged into Israel, passengers kidnapped while in Gaza waters, now Israel wants them to admit they entered Israel illegally.
ABOUT 2 HOURS AGO
Al Jazeera journalists still imprisoned with other 12. Many refusing to sign papers saying they illegally entered Israel. Utterly absurd.
ABOUT 11 HOURS AGO
"We're going to get another boat, more than one boat. We will head toward Gaza again," Captain of the SPIRIT of HUMANITY from his jail cell.
ABOUT 14 HOURS AGO
Bahrain plane landed, all charity workers on board and safe. Rest of our human rights workers still held in Israeli prison, boat confiscated
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We will head toward Gaza again
3-7-2009
Larnaca, Cypus: This morning, the five kidnapped passengers from Bahrain left Israel via a private jet sent by their king. They will hold a press conference in Bahrain tonight at 7 pm Bahrain time. The two Al Jazeera journalists will be freed sometime today, their equipment given back to them but not the footage of the Israeli terrorist frogmen boarding the boat and roughing up some of the passengers.
All passengers are fine, but they are still imprisoned by a country that illegally boarded their small boat, towed it, and confiscated the supplies that had already been inspected in Cyprus.
The following message has come from Captain Denis inside the prison cell in Israel where he is being held, along with 11 more of our passengers, including former Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney and Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Maguire.
"At least four of us went to a hearing yesterday, and we were told we were going to be deported. However, they did not tell us where we were going or when. The boat has been impounded and all of the charts stolen by the Israeli navy. The people at the prison told us we would get all of our stuff back today, but, so far, that has not been true.
It appears as though the Israeli government is drilling for natural gas in the buffer zone. That gas belongs to the people of Gaza. It seems to be one of their reasons for stopping us, perhaps they're worried that we may go back and tell the world what we have seen."
When asked if he thought the Free Gaza Movement would go again, his response was, "Of course. We're going to get another boat, or more than one boat and we will head toward Gaza again."
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UN Expert denounces seizure of aid boat by Israeli forces
2-7-2009
GENEVA - The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Richard Falk, denounced the unlawful naval seizure by an Israeli gunboat on the high seas of a ship carrying medicine and reconstruction material to blockaded people of Gaza.
“This Israeli action implements its cruel blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza, in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits any form of collective punishment directed at an occupied people”, said the human rights expert.
Mr. Falk pointed to a recent report on the impact on health resulting from the two year blockade, issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross, stressing that Israeli actions not only restrict such vital supplies as food, medicine, and fuel to bare subsistence levels, but has in unprecedented fashion, disallowed the entry to Gaza of building materials and spare parts needed for repairing some of the widespread damage caused by its attacks on the Strip that took place for 22 days starting on December 27, 2008.
“Such a pattern of continuing blockade under these conditions amounts to such a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions as to constitute a continuing crime against humanity”, added the independent human rights expert.
The boat in question had been inspected in response to Israeli demands before departure by the port authorities in Cyprus to determine whether there were weapons on board. None were found, and Israeli authorities were so informed.
Nonetheless, the 21 peace activists on the boat were arrested, held in captivity, and have been charged with ‘illegal entry’ to Israel even though they had no intention of going to Israel. The group included such prominent figures as the Irish winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Mairead Maguire, and the former American congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
###
For more information on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967: http://www.ohchr.org/SP/countries/MENARegion/Pages/PSIndex.aspx
For interview requests, please contact Linnéa Arvidsson (+41 22 928 9126, larvidsson[at]ohchr.org)
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - Media Unit
Rupert Colville, Spokesperson: + 41 22 917 9767
Xabier Celaya, Information Officer: + 41 22 917 9383
For inquiries and media requests: press-info[at]ohchr.org
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UPDATE 3-7 at 01.00 hours
18 MINUTES AGO
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L2879277.htm
Free Gaza Movement
21 MINUTES AGO
From a Bahraini kidnapped passenger, "We have achieved our goals from this trip, we broke the siege morally, we are well, thanks be to god"
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 8 HOURS AGO
Website back up. Down due to increased traffic which is a good thing.
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 8 HOURS AGO
Cynthia: State Department, White House officials taken no strong public stance to condemn illegal actions of Israel
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 11 HOURS AGO
http://alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1271412.htm
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 12 HOURS AGO
Our website down for a day, probably hacked. We are working on getting it back up. For now, we will post here. Stay tuned.
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 13 HOURS AGO
Greek flag ripped off the boat to prevent photos of Israel towing a Greek boat into port.
source
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2-7-2009
Letter gone out today from the newly formed IRISH FRIENDS OF PALESTINE AGAINST LISBON
The capture by the Israeli navy of the boat "The Spirit of Humanity" in international waters adds piracy to the list of crimes perpetrated by the rogue Zionist state.
The boat was bringing a largely symbolic cargo of humanitarian goods to the people of Gaza - medicines, toys, cement for rebuilding of homes destroyed by Israel during its latest murderous assault on Gaza. Its crew included an Irish first mate, Derek Graham from County Mayo, and its passengers included the Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire and the former US presidential candidate and Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
These brave people risked their lives because the world's governments have failed consistently to fulfil their duty of protection towards the people of Gaza. Under international law, Gaza remains occupied territory as long as Israel controls its borders, airspace and marine access. Under international humanitarian law, the people of Gaza are a "protected people", yet instead of protecting them the world's governments - in particular those of the USA and EU, which have particular responsibilities towards the Middle East region - have connived with Israel's illegal blockade of the Strip, and thus have made themselves complicit with Israel's war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The presence of Irish citizens on board "The Spirit of Humanity" should bring our government's responsibilities into stark relief. Yet, just as our state-controlled national broadcaster RTÉ has completely ignored this extraordinary story of civil courage and state criminality, the government of Ireland has confined itself to vague comments on how it "remains in contact" with the abducted Irish citizens, and has failed to issue any condemnation of Israel's actions.
Clearly no such condemnation can be issued, because the Irish government's policy on Israel/Palestine entails uncritical subservience to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy which is largely drawn up by Germany, Britain and France in the interests of the Israeli rogue state. IFPAL (the Irish Friends of Palestine Against Lisbon) believe that such subservience in no way represents the wishes of the Irish people for a foreign policy that fully acknowledges the democratic and historic rights of the Palestinian people.
The forthcoming second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty will give us a chance to vote against any deepening Irish subservience to a Common Foreign and Security Policy that is shaped by well funded Zionist lobby groups embedded in the political architecture of the states that control EU foreign policy. IFPAL calls on the Irish people to VOTE NO TO LISBON and YES for an Irish foreign policy which respects the rule of law and protects human rights.
Niamh Moloughney
Irish Free Gaza Coordinator
niamh@freegaza.org
091 472279/085 7747257
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Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire Speaks from Israeli Jail Cell After Arrest on Boat Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
Source
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Latest News
Laatste Nieuws
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Filmpje (PressTV) 2.35 min
Israel to free former US congresswoman + More: Click here
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2-7-2009
Yesterday evening's, Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest at the Spire, O'Connell Street, at the Israeli kidnapping of the Free Gaza activists/supporters
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Eircom.net
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin today called for the swift
release of two Irish nationals currently detained in Israel following
the June 30 seizure of a boat en route to Gaza with humanitarian aid.
2-7-2009, 18:17 hours
"Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin today called for the swift release of two Irish nationals currently detained in Israel following the June 30 seizure of a boat en route to Gaza with humanitarian aid.
The two, Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire and Derek Graham, are awaiting deportation following the seizure of vessel The Spirit of Humanity.
In a statement, Minister Martin said his department has been closely following the situation and was in ongoing contact with Israeli authorities.
"My immediate priority is ensuring the safety and welfare of Ms. Maguire and Mr. Graham and securing their release as soon as possible," the minister said.
"I have been assured by the Israeli authorities that they are both well and are being properly treated. An officer from the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv visited yesterday with Ms. Maguire and Mr. Graham to provide assistance and will endeavour to make a further consular visit today"
"I would again renew my call for the release of Ms. Maguire and Mr. Graham as well as the other nineteen passengers detained on The Spirit of Humanity," he added.
" I would also call upon the Israeli Government to ensure that the humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza being transported on The Spirit of Humanity are made available as soon as possible to the Palestinian authorities for distribution."
The minister called the current Israeli blockade of Gaza "completely unacceptable" and called for all border crossings into the coastal salient to be opened to humanitarian and commercial traffic."
Source
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2-7- 2009, 09.35 hours
One of Cynthia's friend received a phone call from Ramle prison. The incarcerated prisoners are calling themselves "Free Gaza 21" even though Huwaida and Lubna have been released. Below is Cynthia's statement;
We were in international waters on a boat delivering humanitarian aid to people in Gaza when the Israeli Navy ships surrounded us and illegally threatened us, dismantled our navigation equipment, boarded and confiscated the ship.
All of us on board were then taken off the ship and into custody, and brought into Israel and imprisoned. Immigration officials in Israel said they did not want to keep us, but we remain imprisoned. State Department and White House officials have not effected our release or taken a strong public stance to condemn the illegal actions of the Israeli Navy of enforcing a blockade of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians of Gaza, a blockade that has been condemned by President Obama.
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UPDATE 1-7 at 21.00 hours
23 MINUTES AGO
Lubna and Huwaida on the media offensive in Ramallah. On Al Jazeera talking about being kidnapped. Other 19 passengers OK. Staying together
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 2 HOURS AGO
Passengers transferred to prison next to Ramle for illegal immigrants. The irony of it all. They will be tried for entering Israel illegally
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 4 HOURS AGO
Adam Qvist and Adam Shapiro taken away in a truck for deportation. Mairead forcibly removed from rest of group in handcuffs. All isolated.
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 7 HOURS AGO
Two released, 19 still imprisoned. Keep up the phone calls, emails, anger at what has happened. Remember 11,000 Palestinians also imprisoned
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 12 HOURS AGO
No word where passengers are. Only a few text messages. Call the Israeli authorities and insist they be released. Outrageous.
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 15 HOURS AGO
Passengers are fine but outraged. Will know more today. Most want to get back on boat and go to Gaza. We will not stop trying to come.
Free Gaza Movement
ABOUT 15 HOURS AGO
Thanks to all who have called, emailed, texted your outrage. Thousands contacted Israeli officials, hundreds contacted local government.
source
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We are NOT the “Story”
It’s Not Just Our 21 Kidnapped Passengers
1-7-2009, 13.00 hours
On June 30th 2009 Israeli Occupation Forces forcibly boarded the Free Gaza boat, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, and kidnapped 21 human rights workers and journalists who were on their way to deliver much needed humanitarian and reconstruction supplies to besieged Gaza. Those abducted by Israel include Nobel peace prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
Since their kidnapping, tens-of-thousands of people around the world have mobilized to demand their immediate and unconditional release. The Free Gaza Movement would like to thank everyone who has made a phone call, sent a fax or email, written a letter, or organized a demonstration on behalf of our 21 imprisoned friends.
With respect, it is not enough. We are not the story. Since its founding in 1948 the State of Israel has regularly kidnapped and tortured Palestinians, throwing them into forgotten prisons where they can languish for years. Today, over 11,000 Palestinian political prisoners without benefit of due process, some never even charged - men, women, and children – endure torture and isolation in Israeli jails, outdoor prison camps, and secret black sites. They come from all walks of life: doctors, journalists, parliamentarians, workers, resistance fighters, homemakers, students and others. They are our sisters and brothers.
The 21 passengers aboard the Spirit of Humanity have been illegally incarcerated for their solidarity work with Palestine. 11,000 other members of our common human family are already imprisoned simply for being Palestinian.
The Siege of Palestine is not simply the physical blockade against Gaza. The Siege includes the hundreds of checkpoints throughout the West Bank that separate families and communities and shatter any prospect for a viable Palestinian state. The Siege includes the millions of Palestinians in Diaspora, many of them dumped in squalid refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon and elsewhere. The Siege is ever-present throughout all aspects of Palestinian life.
This Siege is only strengthened when we pay more attention to the injustice done to 21 international solidarity workers than we do to the much greater injustices already being committed against millions of Palestinians.
We in the Free Gaza Movement implore all the good people around the world who have working so hard to secure the release of our friends to "adopt" a Palestinian prisoner. We ask you to learn about the crisis and take on the cause of an individual prisoner as your own.
Break the Siege! Reach out to Palestine!
For more information, please visit http://www.FreeGaza.org, as well as the following prisoner information websites:
• http://www.miftah.org/Display.cfm?DocId=7209&CategoryId=4
• http://sumoud.tao.ca/?q=node/view/76
• http://palestinianprisoners.blogspot.com/2009/04/palestinian-prisoners-families-protest_27.html
• http://www.btselem.org/english/statistics/Detainees_and_Prisoners.asp
###
For More Information, Please Contact:
Greta Berlin (English)
tel: +357 99 28 41 02 / friends@freegaza.org
Ramzi Kysia (English)
Tel: + 357 99 08 17 67 / rrkysia@yahoo.com
Caoimhe Butterly (Arabic/English/Spanish):
tel: +357 99 80 96 37 / sahara78@hotmail.co.uk
Source
---------------------------------------------------
Abu Pessoptimist
30-6-2009
Somalische piraten? En wat dacht u van Israël?
Gaza kon een klein beetje hoop wel gebruiken, de verwachtingen waren daarom hoog gespannen toen de Spirit of Humanity vanaf Cyprus koers zette naar Gaza. Aan boord waren medicijnen, speelgoed en olijfbomen, plus 21 mensen uit 11 landen. Onder hen waren de Ierse Nobelprijswinnaar Mairead Maguire, het vroegere Democratische lid van het Amerikaanse Huis van Afgevaardigden Cynthia McKinney uit Atlanta (GA) en een aantal hulpverleners. Maar ziet, op 23 mijl voor de kust, dat wil zeggen in de internationale wateren, werd het scheepje door de Israëlische marine bedreigd en aangehouden en vervolgens naar Israël gesleept. (Zie voor verdere infomatie www.freeGaza.org).
Kennis van het internationale recht, wisten we al, is niet Israëls sterkste punt. Kennelijk geldt dat ook voor het zeerecht. Wie zei daar wat over Somalische piraten? Misschien kunnen er ook wat van die NAVO-schepen gaan patrouilleren in de Middellandse Zee?
Bron
---------------------------------------------------
1-7-2009
Press Conference, Today, Journalist House, Nicosia, 17:00-17:30
Update on kidnapped passengers, impounded boat, and the right for EVERYONE to see an attorney
Journalists' House
12 CyBC (RIK) Avenue
Aglantzia, Nicosia 2120, Cyprus
Greta Berlin (English)
tel: +357 99 28 41 02/ friends@freegaza.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ramzi Kysia (English)
Tel: + 357 99 08 17 67 rrkysia@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Caoimhe Butterly (Arabic/English/Spanish):
tel: +357 99 80 96 37 / sahara78@hotmail.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.FreeGaza.org
(Larnaca, 1 July 2009) Yesterday, the Israeli Navy boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY and kidnapped the 21 human rights activists, humanitarian workers and activists on their way to Gaza. As of today, none of them have had the right to see an attorney even though they came to the detention center to see them.
The Free Gaza Movement is calling for their release and the release of our boat, seized in international waters off the coast of Gaza as our SPOT locator clearly shows.
But more importantly, twenty-one internationals can get headlines. What about the 11,000 Palestinians who languish in jail, many of them tortured. We will update you on the status of our kidnapped passengers and our impounded boat, but who will do the same for the Palestinians and their boats?
We will insist that Israel stop interfering with our voyages to Gaza, since they do not have the right; legal or moral, to enforce a siege that collectively punishes 1.5 million Palestinians.
Our demand is that our passengers re-board the boat and continue on to the port in Gaza, so we can deliver the building supplies and the humanitarian supplies that we loaded and inspected by the Cypriot authorities.
Kidnapped Passengers from the Spirit of Humanity include
Read more
---------------------------------------------------
PressTV 23.30 hours
Greece calls on Israel to release Gaza aid ship
---------------------------------------------------
PressTV 22.30 hours
Israeli navy escorts ship to Israeli Ashdot harbour
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-2009, 22.07 hours
Earlier today, Israeli Occupation Forces boarded the Free Gaza boat, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, and kidnapped 21 human rights workers and journalists who were on their way to deliver much needed humanitarian and reconstruction supplies to besieged Gaza. Those kidnapped by Israel include Nobel peace laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.
So far we have not been able to contact any of our people, but we do have a team of attorneys working for their immediate and unconditional release. Please help us. Please contact your local newspapers and TV stations, government officials and embassies. Please call the numbers below and demand that Israel free the 21 innocent people kidnapped today, as well as the over 11,000 Palestinian political prisoners currently held in Israeli jails. They all need your help.
CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Justice
tel: 00972 2646 6666 or 00972 2646 6340
fax: 00972 2646 6357
CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
tel: 00972 2530 3155 or 00972 2530 3111
fax: 00972 2530 3367
CONTACT Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
tel: 00972 2670 5354 or 00972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CONTACT the International Committee of the Red Cross to ask for their assistance in establishing the wellbeing of the kidnapped human rights workers and help in securing their immediate release
Red Cross Israel
tel: 00972 3524 5286
fax: 00972 3527 0370
Red Cross Switzerland:
tel: 0041 22 730 3443
fax: 0041 22 734 8280
Red Cross USA:
tel: 001 212 599 6021
fax: 001 212 599 6009
###
---------------------------------------------------
[23 miles off the coast of Gaza, 15:30pm] -
30-6-2009
Today Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (see below for a complete list of passengers). The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.
"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," said Cynthia McKinney, a former U.S. Congresswoman and presidential candidate. "President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey."
According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are "trapped in despair." Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel's December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel's disruption of medical supplies.
"The aid we were carrying is a symbol of hope for the people of Gaza, hope that the sea route would open for them, and they would be able to transport their own materials to begin to reconstruct the schools, hospitals and thousands of homes destroyed during the onslaught of "Cast Lead". Our mission is a gesture to the people of Gaza that we stand by them and that they are not alone" said fellow passenger Mairead Maguire, winner of a Noble Peace Prize for her work in Northern Ireland.
Just before being kidnapped by Israel, Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement chairperson and delegation co-coordinator on this voyage, stated that: "No one could possibly believe that our small boat constitutes any sort of threat to Israel. We carry medical and reconstruction supplies, and children's toys. Our passengers include a Nobel peace prize laureate and a former U.S. congressperson. Our boat was searched and received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before we departed, and at no time did we ever approach Israeli waters."
Arraf continued, "Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on our unarmed boat is a clear violation of international law and we demand our immediate and unconditional release."
###
source
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-2009, 15.43
Israeli Occupation Forces have kidnapped 21 Human Rights workers aboard the Free Gaza boat, Spirit of Humanity, including Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire & former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. For more information, see: www.FreeGaza.org
WHAT YOU CAN DO!
CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Justice
tel: +972 2646 6666 or +972 2646 6340
fax: +972 2646 6357
CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
tel: +972 2530 3111
fax: +972 2530 3367
CONTACT Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
tel: +972 5 0620 3264 or +972 2670 5354
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CONTACT the International Committee of the Red Cross to ask for their assistance in establishing the wellbeing of the kidnapped human rights workers and help in securing their immediate release!
Red Cross Israel
tel: +972 3524 5286
fax: +972 3527 0370
tel_aviv.tel@icrc.org
Red Cross Switzerland:
tel: +41 22 730 3443
fax: +41 22 734 8280
Red Cross USA:
tel: +1 212 599 6021
fax: +1 212 599 6009
###
Kidnapped Passengers from the Spirit of Humanity include:
Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of Bahrain.
Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.
Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.
Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.
Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.
Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.
Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.
Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on international struggles for social justice.
Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.
Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard the Spirit of Humanity.
Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage to Gaza.
Fathi Jaouadi, UK
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.
Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.
Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.
Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential candidate.
Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.
Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
###
--
Greta Berlin
Free Gaza Movement
357 99 081 767
www.freegaza.org
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-2009, 14.25 hours
We have unconfirmed reports from al-Jazeera that Israeli Occupying Forces have stopped and boarded the Spirit of Humanity. We're not sure if our folks are being arrested yet or not.
More to follow...
CALL & FAX the Israeli Navy at:
tel: +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
fax: +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
+972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
+972 33697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
###
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-2009, 13.00 hours
We've just received word from the Spirit of Humanity. They are 24 miles off the coast of Gaza, and are still surrounded by Israeli warships. Israeli Occupying Forces have threatened to take violent action against the small boat unless it turns around. They will not turn around.
Our people on the boat have slowed their speed significantly and are telling the Israelis that they must not fire on unarmed human rights workers and journalists, including Nobel peace prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Regardless of Israeli threats, they will not turn around. They continue, slowly, sailing toward Gaza.
PLEASE immediately call Israeli Occupying Forces and demand that they STOP threatening the Spirit of Humanity.
CALL & FAX the Israeli Navy at:
tel: +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
fax: +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
+972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
+972 33697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
###
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-10.15 hours
There are now 6 navy vessels around the Spirit. On board they think they will be blockaded G
Get on the phones everyone and call the Israeli government. Their offices are now open.
Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
+972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
+972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
+ 972 5 781 86248
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-2009 08.18 hours
"ALL WE WANT IS TO REACH GAZA. WE DO NOT SEEK A CONFRONTATION."
Activists aboard Gaza justice boat demand they be allowed to visit their friends & family in besieged Gaza, and deliver their cargo of medical supplies, children's toys, and reconstruction kits. They invite the world to join them.
(At Sea, 60km off the coast of the Gaza Strip) - Human Rights activists aboard the Free Gaza ship, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, today demanded that the Israeli Navy immediately stop threatening them.
“This aid is desperately needed by the people of Gaza,” said Mairead Maguire, winner of the Noble Peace Prize and Pacem in Terris Award for her work in Northern Ireland. “President Obama has called upon the Palestinians to abandon violence but Israel is denying them the right to non-violently resist the siege of Gaza.”
The unarmed justice ship departed Larnaca Port in Cyprus at 7:30am Monday with its crew of 21 human rights activists, humanitarian workers and journalists from 11 different countries, including Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The boat, a converted ferry, hopes to arrive in Gaza Tuesday afternoon, following a grueling 30 hour sea voyage.
At 1:30am, Israeli warships surrounded the small civilian boat and threatened to open fire if they did not turn around. When the activists refused to be intimidated, Israeli Occupation Forces began jamming their instrumentation, blocking their GPS, radar, and navigation systems. This jamming was in direct violation of international maritime law, threatening the welfare and safety of the civilian ship.
Responding to this intimidation, Congresswoman McKinney declared, "I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God's name would Israel want to attack us?"
Huwaida Arraf, Chairperson of the Free Gaza movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage, said, "All we want is to reach Gaza. We want to visit our friends and deliver our cargo of medical supplies, children's toys, and reconstruction materials. Our ship was searched and received security clearance from the Port Authorities in Cyprus before we departed."
Arraf continued, "We do not seek a confrontation. We have traveled from Cypriot waters to international waters and will enter Gazan waters. We've never gone anywhere near Israel. Israel’s closure of Gaza is an act of collective punishment and a blatant violation of international law. We call upon our governments to take action to uphold their obligations under the Fourth Geneva Conventions. If they won’t or until they do, we will act. We will come to Gaza again and again until this brutal siege is broken. We invite the good people of the world to join us."
Free Gaza boats are the first international ships in 41 years to sail to the Gaza Strip. Since August 2008, the Free Gaza Movement has organized 8 sea missions, successfully arriving to Gaza on 5 separate occasions. One two earlier occasions, Israeli Occupation Forces used violence to stop the ships, physically ramming and almost sinking the DIGNITY boat in December 2008, and threatening to fire on and kill unarmed passengers in January 2008. The fate of this, the eighth mission to Gaza, is still uncertain.
###
For more information, please contact:
Greta Berlin (English/French) or Caoimhe Butterly (English/Arabic/Spanish) at 00357 99 081 767 / friends@freegaza.org
www.FreeGaza.org
WHAT YOU CAN DO!
CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-2009, 03.27 hours
We just spoke again with our people aboard the Spirit of Humanity. The Israeli Navy is continuing to try and intimidate the ship, and is actively jamming its radar, GPS, and navigation systems in direct violation of international maritime law. This jamming is extremely dangerous and directly threatens the welfare and safety of everyone aboard our civilian ship.
Because their instrumentation is being jammed, they are using compass & paper to attempt to navigate. They are in international waters & they believe their location is approximately 110km off of the town of Hadera. Everyone is tired but determined. They are not being deterred by the Israeli aggression & are continuing toward Gaza. Please help them.
Please CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-2009, 02.14 hours
We just spoke to the passengers. Everyone is OK, but the situation is still very tense. They continue to be surrounded by Israeli warships which are threatening to open fire. The Israeli Navy is actively jamming all navigation systems in violation of international maritime law, endangering the people on board.
Former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, speaking from on board the SPIRIT, stated, "I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God's name would Israel want to attack us and threaten our safety and welfare. I call on President Obama and the international community to intervene now to prevent this situation from escalating with potentially drastic results to the civilians on board."
Since the boat's navigation equipment is being jammed, it has turned westward in order to stay in international waters.The Captain and crew are working from the most ancient of navigation equipment...the compass to stay clear of Israeli waters.
CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
---------------------------------------------------
30-6-2009, 01.50 hours
We just heard from the people on board the boat. The Israeli navy is jamming the radio and preventing navigation systems from working. This action is in direct violation of International and Maritime law.
If anything happens to the boat or its passengers, it will be the direct result of Israel's aggressive response to a civilian boat taking unarmed passengers to Gaza. The Free Gaza Movement holds the government of Israel responsible for the safety and security of the passengers on board the SPIRIT.
We would like to emphasize that the boat is in international waters, and, as such, falls under the protection of international law.
Call, fax and email:
CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
---------------------------------------------------
At 1:40 am, the Israeli Navy surrounded the SPIRIT while it is on its way to the Gaza Strip. We got a call from the boat saying that they were being threatened, told to turn back or they would be fired on.
Huwaida Arraf, one of the delegation leaders, was on the phone with the Israeli gunboats, and we could hear her saying, "You Cannot Open Fire on Unarmed Civilians" several times. At this writing, they are surrounded by several ships shining bright lights into the SPIRIT.
CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
---------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,
29-6-2009, 20.00 hours
We've just heard from everyone on board the Spirit of Humanity. They are
almost halfway to Gaza, a little over 100 kilometers off the coast of the
Lebanon/Israel border. They're a bit tired, but everyone is in good
spirits and determined to reach Gaza. So far they have not seen any
Israeli warships or had any radio contact with the IDF. You can see their
latest position by clicking on the link below.
From aboard the Spirit, Free Gaza organizer Lubna Masarwa stated that,
"We're intent and unworried - we're sailing on. We will go to Gaza, in
solidarity with the people. We want to break the Israeli siege in a
practical way, and not just with words. Our message to Gaza - from all the
Palestinians in '48 and in the West Bank, and from all the good people in
the world is - You are not alone!"
SPOT Check OK.
ESN:0-7490415
Latitude:33.3474
Longitude:33.8294
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:06/29/2009 21:21:47 (Europe/Nicosia)
Here you can see on Google Maps where on the map the boat now is:
29-6 at 23.16: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=
29-6 at 21.21: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.3474,33.8294&ll=33.3474,33.8294&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
---------------------------------------------------
'Home' for families in Jabalia, Gaza
29-6-2009
Dear Friends of Free Gaza: The SPIRIT has left over 9 hours ago. They are on their way to Gaza and will be there tomorrow afternoon. We ask that you follow their progress by going to our website at www.freegaza.org and clicking on LIVE in the upper left hand side. You will be able to see where they are from the SPOT beacon on board.
If you also would like to make yourselves heard, you can call or fax the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and demand that Israel not harm the boat, the passengers or the cargo. Their numbers are listed below. The more of you who do that, the safer our mission.
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tel +972-2-530-3111
Fax +972-2-530-3367
Finally, the updated photos are on flickr if you would like to see them www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
Greta
---------------------------------------------------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Free Gaza Boat "Spirit of Humanity" Departs Cyprus
For more information, please contact:
Greta Berlin (English/French) or Caoimhe Butterly (Arabic/English/Spanish)
tel: +357 99 081 767 / email: friends@freegaza.org
(LARNACA, 29 June 2009) - The Free Gaza boat the "Spirit of Humanity"
departed Cyprus at 7:30am on Monday, 29 July. Twenty-one human rights and
solidarity workers representing eleven different countries were aboard.
The passengers include Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S.
congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The ship also carries three tons of
medical aid, children's toys, and rehabilitation and reconstruction kits
for twenty family homes.
Over 2,400 homes were destroyed in Gaza during the Israeli massacre in
December/January, 490 of them by F-16 airstrikes, as well as 30 mosques,
29 educational institutions, 29 medical centers, 10 charitable
organizations, and 5 cement factories.
Each kit carries a small amount of supplies for a single family,
representing sectors of civil society currently being blockaded by Israel:
Agriculture, Building & Reconstruction, Education, Electricity, Health,
and Water & Sanitation. Although over 4 billion dollars in aid was
promised to Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli onslaught, little
humanitarian aid and no reconstruction supplies have been allowed in.
###
Quotes:
Mairead Maguire, co-winner of the 1977 Nobel Peace prize for her work in
Northern Ireland:
"[The Palestinians of Gaza] must know that we have not and will not forget
them.”
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney:
"[T]he U.S. should send a message to Israel reiterating the reported White
House position that the blockade of Gaza should be eased, and that medical
supplies and building materials, including cement, should be allowed in
... Will [President Obama] stand by his own words and allow us to provide
relief for Gaza or will he back down?”
Huwaida Arraf, Chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement:
"Israel’s closure policy is a blatant violation of international law. We
call upon our governments to take action to uphold their obligations under
the Fourth Geneva Conventions. Until they do, we will act.
###
Passengers aboard the Spirit of Humanity include:
Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of
Bahrain.
Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.
Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.
Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.
Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.
Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.
Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation
co-coordinator for this voyage.
Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder
of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on
international struggles for social justice.
Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.
Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard
the Spirit of Humanity.
Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do
long-term human rights monitoring.
Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage
to Gaza.
Fathi Jaouadi, UK/Tunisia
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation
co-coordinator for this voyage.
Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.
Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.
Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to
do long-term human rights monitoring.
Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social
justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential
candidate.
Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do
long-term human rights monitoring.
Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do
human rights monitoring.
Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.
Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights
monitoring.
###
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Latest News Free Gaza trip MP3
News Free Gaza trip MP3
More video's here
To: The Israeli Ministry of Defense, Fax: 972-3-697-6717
To: The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fax: 972-2-5303367
From: The Free Gaza Movement
24-6-2009
This letter serves as a formal notification to you, as the Occupying Power
and belligerent force in the Gaza Strip, that on Thursday, June 25, 2009
we are navigating the motor vessel Spirit of Humanity, and the motor
vessel Free Gaza from the Port of Larnaca to the port of Gaza City. Our
vessels will be flying the Greek flags, and, as such, fall under the
jurisdiction Greece.
We will be sailing from Cypriot waters into international waters, then
directly into the territorial waters of the Gaza Strip without entering or
nearing Israeli territorial waters.
We will be carrying medical supplies in sealed boxes, as well as crayons,
coloring books and toys for children, cleared by customs at the Larnaca
International Airport and the Port of Larnaca. We will also be carrying
300 bags of cement delivered directly from the supplier to the Port of
Larnaca. There will be passengers and crew on board from 14 different
countries. Our boats and cargo will have received security clearance from
the Port Authorities in Cyprus before we depart.
As it will be confirmed that neither we, the cargo, any of the boats’
contents, nor the boats themselves constitute any threat to the security
of Israel or its armed forces, we do not expect any interference with our
voyage by Israel's authorities.
On Tuesday, December 30, an Israeli Navy vessel violently, and without
warning, attacked our motor vessel Dignity, disabling the vessel and
endangering the lives of the 16 civilians on board. This notice serves as
clear notification to you of our approach. Any attack on the motor
vessels, Spirit of Humanity and/or Free Gaza will be premeditated and any
harm inflicted on the people on board will be considered the result of a
deliberate attack on unarmed civilians.
A copy of this notification has been sent to the embassies of the
civilians who will be on board.
For More Information, Please Contact: Greta Berlin, +357 96 471 263 or
Ramzi Kysia, +357 99 081 767
www.FreeGaza.org
Source
Overzicht Reacties over dit Artikel
Plaats een Reactie |
Reactie van Leendert | datum: 2009-07-08 15:23:09 |
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Wapens die door Iran werden geleverd. Het erg jammer dat jullie niet ontwaken uit jullie natte linkse droom over vrij palestina..
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Reactie van Paul Lamp | datum: 2009-07-08 14:58:56 |
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Bedoel je met wapens soms potloden?
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Reactie van Leendert | datum: 2009-07-08 14:43:44 |
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Er zaten wapen in de boot voor Hamas
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