ID :
191483
Tue, 06/28/2011 - 09:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/191483
The shortlink copeid
FLOTILLA TO SAIL DESPITE PRESSURE, THREATS OF VIOLENCE
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- Some 10 boats are set to sail over the
next few days carrying nearly 3,000 tonnes of aid for Palestinians in Gaza in
defiance of the Israeli blockade.
Dignity/Karama, a French boat, left the port of Corsica on June 25 to meet
up with at least nine other vessels of the International Freedom Flotilla II to
proceed to Gaza, according to a statement from the flotilla.
The statement said Israel's best efforts to stop the boats at port,
including pressure on governments, threats against insurance and communications
companies, intimidation of human rights defenders and other underhand tactics,
had failed.
"In the coming days, the rest of the vessels in the flotilla, two cargo
ships and seven other passenger boats, will leave from various ports to a
meeting point in international waters from which the boats will sail all
together to Gaza.
"We will carry nearly 3,000 tonnes of aid and hundreds of civilians from
dozens of countries, including members of parliaments, politicians, writers,
artists, journalists and sports figures as well as representatives of indigenous
peoples and various faith groups.
"Unfortunately, some of our vessels are facing delays admittedly prompted by
frivolous complaints from the Israel Law Centre, attempted sabotage of some
boats as well as administrative obstacles created by the Greek government in
response to Israeli pressure,” it said.
The statement said International Freedom Flotilla II called on the Greek
government not to become complicit in Israel’s illegal actions by succumbing to
this pressure.
"This has been affirmed again and again by numerous international human
rights bodies, including the United Nations and International Committee of the
Red Cross.
"There is no question that Israel's closure policy has had a divesting
effect on the occupied people of Gaza and the question is why does the
international community of states allow Israel to keep violating the law and
rights of the Palestinian people with impunity,” it said.
The statement stressed that despite intimidation, pressure and threats of
violence from the Israeli government, the ships would sail.
-- BERNAMA
next few days carrying nearly 3,000 tonnes of aid for Palestinians in Gaza in
defiance of the Israeli blockade.
Dignity/Karama, a French boat, left the port of Corsica on June 25 to meet
up with at least nine other vessels of the International Freedom Flotilla II to
proceed to Gaza, according to a statement from the flotilla.
The statement said Israel's best efforts to stop the boats at port,
including pressure on governments, threats against insurance and communications
companies, intimidation of human rights defenders and other underhand tactics,
had failed.
"In the coming days, the rest of the vessels in the flotilla, two cargo
ships and seven other passenger boats, will leave from various ports to a
meeting point in international waters from which the boats will sail all
together to Gaza.
"We will carry nearly 3,000 tonnes of aid and hundreds of civilians from
dozens of countries, including members of parliaments, politicians, writers,
artists, journalists and sports figures as well as representatives of indigenous
peoples and various faith groups.
"Unfortunately, some of our vessels are facing delays admittedly prompted by
frivolous complaints from the Israel Law Centre, attempted sabotage of some
boats as well as administrative obstacles created by the Greek government in
response to Israeli pressure,” it said.
The statement said International Freedom Flotilla II called on the Greek
government not to become complicit in Israel’s illegal actions by succumbing to
this pressure.
"This has been affirmed again and again by numerous international human
rights bodies, including the United Nations and International Committee of the
Red Cross.
"There is no question that Israel's closure policy has had a divesting
effect on the occupied people of Gaza and the question is why does the
international community of states allow Israel to keep violating the law and
rights of the Palestinian people with impunity,” it said.
The statement stressed that despite intimidation, pressure and threats of
violence from the Israeli government, the ships would sail.
-- BERNAMA
