Home | Friday 3rd June 2011 | Issue 774
GAZA FREEDOM FLOTILLA II
The Freedom Flotilla II is readying itself to set sail for Gaza, a year after the Israeli military assault on the Mavi Marmara that left nine activists dead and over 50 injured (see SchNEWS 725).
The blockade busting ships, manned by campaigners from over 50 countries, will depart from ports around Europe carrying desperately needed supplies alongside messages of solidarity.
Organisers have pushed on with plans for the flotilla despite Israeli assaults with both carrot and stick. While Israel has recently announced it would allow a small increase in the humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza, it has also been been threatening another violent response. Leslie Cagan, coordinator of the U.S. Boat to Gaza, said, “We are sailing - despite threats by the Israeli armed forces to use attack dogs and snipers against us - and despite frantic diplomatic pressure by the Israeli government to prevent other countries from allowing the flotilla to sail”.
With the Rafah (pedestrian) border with Egypt now open, and after loosening restrictions to let 65% of pre-blockade levels of cargo in, Israel has argued the flotilla is unnecessary. The Free Gaza campaign disagree. In a press release they state:
“Letting in more trucks is not enough. More trucks with food and medicine are only meant to give the appearance of an open Gaza. More trucks does not mean freedom; more trucks does not mean rebuilding the hundreds of homes and buildings that the Israeli military destroyed during Operation Cast Lead. More trucks does not mean Gaza is not occupied and its residents subjected to collective punishment; more trucks does not mean that Israel has ended its cruel blockade; more trucks does not mean that Palestinians are any less imprisoned.”
