ID :
185901
Wed, 06/01/2011 - 14:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/185901
The shortlink copeid
PALESTINIANS COMMEMORATE ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON FLOTILLA
By Saleh Jadallah
GAZA STRIP, June 1 (Bernama)-- Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip
commemorated the first anniversary of the Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound
"freedom flotilla" carrying international participants, including from Malaysia.
They expressed respect and sympathy for the families of nine Turkish
activists who were killed in the attack, which took place in international
waters.
Waving Palestinian and Turkish flags, a group of Palestinians sailed on
boats to Gaza Seaport and called for an immediate end to the blockade that has
been imposed on Gaza since 2007, after Hamas took control of the coastal
enclave.
They threw wreaths into the sea as a symbolic offering to the activists'
souls.
"This is the least we can offer these heroes. They deserve everything
because they sacrificed everything," said one of the participants.
On May 31 last year, Israeli naval commandos used force against six ships
carrying aid and activists, most of them Turkish and Europeans, who were
attempting to defy around four years of Israeli blockade on Gaza.
Nine Turkish activists were killed and dozens were wounded. The remaining
activists were detained and sent back to their countries.
The head of the Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip, Ismael Haniyeh,
inaugurated a monument in honour of the flotilla's victims at Gaza beach, while
laying a wreath.
The coordinator of the campaign, Amjad Al-Shawa, said Palestinians would
never forget the blood of the victims shed for the sake of Palestine.
"Palestinians today express their respect for the martyrs and wounded of the
freedom flotilla, who sacrificed everything precious to them for the victory of
rights and justice," he said.
British activist Ebrahim Musaji, who was onboard the freedom flotilla last
year, recalled the bitter memories that are still etched in his mind.
He said the "cruel scene" that he and the fellow activists witnessed would
not deter him from participating in other humanitarian missions to end the
blockade on Gaza.
Speaking courageously, the 27-year-old activist said he believed martyrs
went to paradise.
"The experience shows how low-minded the enemy is, and how they fear people
who care.
"They took away our aid, but they will never take our love for Palestine,"
the activist told Bernama.
GAZA STRIP, June 1 (Bernama)-- Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip
commemorated the first anniversary of the Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound
"freedom flotilla" carrying international participants, including from Malaysia.
They expressed respect and sympathy for the families of nine Turkish
activists who were killed in the attack, which took place in international
waters.
Waving Palestinian and Turkish flags, a group of Palestinians sailed on
boats to Gaza Seaport and called for an immediate end to the blockade that has
been imposed on Gaza since 2007, after Hamas took control of the coastal
enclave.
They threw wreaths into the sea as a symbolic offering to the activists'
souls.
"This is the least we can offer these heroes. They deserve everything
because they sacrificed everything," said one of the participants.
On May 31 last year, Israeli naval commandos used force against six ships
carrying aid and activists, most of them Turkish and Europeans, who were
attempting to defy around four years of Israeli blockade on Gaza.
Nine Turkish activists were killed and dozens were wounded. The remaining
activists were detained and sent back to their countries.
The head of the Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip, Ismael Haniyeh,
inaugurated a monument in honour of the flotilla's victims at Gaza beach, while
laying a wreath.
The coordinator of the campaign, Amjad Al-Shawa, said Palestinians would
never forget the blood of the victims shed for the sake of Palestine.
"Palestinians today express their respect for the martyrs and wounded of the
freedom flotilla, who sacrificed everything precious to them for the victory of
rights and justice," he said.
British activist Ebrahim Musaji, who was onboard the freedom flotilla last
year, recalled the bitter memories that are still etched in his mind.
He said the "cruel scene" that he and the fellow activists witnessed would
not deter him from participating in other humanitarian missions to end the
blockade on Gaza.
Speaking courageously, the 27-year-old activist said he believed martyrs
went to paradise.
"The experience shows how low-minded the enemy is, and how they fear people
who care.
"They took away our aid, but they will never take our love for Palestine,"
the activist told Bernama.
