FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Hearklin, Crete, Tuesday, May 25, 2010) As Israel continues to
insist it will stop the seven-ship international Freedom Flotilla, two
more ships departed from Greece to Gaza today.
A 2000 ton cargo ship and fifty-person passenger ship owned by the
European Campaign Against the Siege of Gaza, and Swedish/Greek Ship to
Gaza campaigns left Athens to meet the Freedom Flotilla in international
waters.
They follow hot on the trail of the cargo ships of Insani Yardim
Vakafi (IHH’s) and Free Gaza’s MV Rachel Corrie. IHH’s remaining 1100
capacity passenger ship and cargo ship are to sail shortly from Turkey.
In Crete, the Free Gaza Movement is readying its two passenger boats
for their imminent departure. ‘Al Samoud’ (The Steadfast’) and ‘Al
Haya’ (The Ship of Life) were named by children from schools in
occupied Gaza and Jerusalem.
Reports coming from the Israeli Navy say they will jam the flotilla’s
signals and communications, isolating those on board the ships, and
barring the world from witnessing what could become a confrontation or
prolonged naval stand-off.
The strategy of the Freedom Flotilla, however, is to resist any
attempts by the Israeli Navy to hijack its ships or to divide cargo
ships from passenger vessels.
“The message from Israel is clear: ‘We will stop you. And no-one can
prevent us from stopping you.’ said Free Gaza chair, Huwaida Arraf.
“However, we will non-violently resist Israeli attempts to seize our
boats. Thousands of people have contributed to making this flotilla a
reality, and the people of Gaza are expecting us.
“We will not allow our flotilla to be divided. We will stay with our
cargo ships – they are the core of the flotilla carrying essential
construction materials denied entry into Gaza – cement, steel, and
houses. This action is not a symbolic gesture but a concrete
intervention to allow the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives with
dignity’, emphasized passenger, Aengus O’Snodaigh, TD Sinn Féin party,
Ireland
Ewa Jasiewicz added, “We are not breaking the law, we are upholding
it. We are acting out of necessity to prevent a greater crime from
taking place – the collective punishment of 1.5 million people
imprisoned in Gaza. The international community is complicit in this
collective punishment and must break its silence. Respect for
international law is not optional, it is obligatory.’
Contacts
Crete Free Gaza Movement 0030 698 377 6683
Cyprus Free Gaza Movement 00 357 99 18 72 78 or 00 357 96 48
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