New Aid Mission By Sea To Gaza

international | anti-war / imperialism | other press

Monday January 12, 2009 23:05

by Miriam

World needs to shine a spotlight on this mission to keep it safe

It set sail from Cyprus today. Report below. Word of this mission needs to be spread around the world and its progress monitored very carefully. These people are really vulnerable. Given what we have just witnessed in Gaza we know Israel is capable of violent defiance of world opinion, of law and of even basic humanitarian considerations and that it thinks nothing of murdering innocent people intent only on providing humanitarian aid. John Ging of UNWRA has reported how he had to withdraw UN aid workers because they were being deliberately, and repeatedly targetted by the very IDF units they had negotiated with for safe passage into Gaza to help relieve suffering. He called a halt to the effort when the IDF murdered one of them and has given explicit interviews with Al Jazeera English since. Let's hope this boat doesnt suffer the same fate.

"SOLIDARITY activists, doctors and MPs set sail on an aid mission for Gaza from Cyprus on Monday, as Israel deployed reservists to back up soldiers struggling to quash resistance in Gaza City.

This is the second time since Israel began its assault on Gaza on December 27 that Free Gaza Movement (FGM) activists have tried to break the Israeli blockade of the coastal enclave, where Tel Aviv's attacks have so far claimed the lives of over 910 Palestinians and wounded around 4,000.

Last month, an FGM boat was forced to turn back after an Israeli naval vessel rammed into it.

This time, a 66-foot Greek-flagged boat is carrying 34 passengers, including six doctors and MPs from Greece, Belgium and Spain, as well as dried food, flour, baby formula, nappies and medical supplies. FGM has notified Israeli authorities of the trip.

FGM organiser Huwaida Arraf said: "I can't anticipate what the Israelis are going to do, but I know we won't be turned back easily.

"If they ram us again or use force against us, it will be nothing less than a premeditated attack against a defenceless boat," Ms Arraf emphasised.

Israel has sent a message to Larnaca authorities saying that the boat would be turned back.

Greek Socialist Party (PASOK) deputy Sofia Sakoraf said that she wanted to show solidarity with those who are suffering.

And Dubai-based eye surgeon Ali Dabbagh said that he planned to work in Gaza for four weeks.

"I'm not afraid. There's more fear of me looking back in the mirror and seeing someone who hadn't done anything," Mr Dabbagh said.

The UN human rights council adopted a resolution condemning Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip yesterday and accused Tel Aviv of "grave" human rights violations.

The resolution, which calls for the establishment of a fact-finding mission to investigate Israeli violations against Palestinians, was passed after 33 African, Asian, Arab and Latin American countries had voted in favour and 13 European states had abstained.

Canada was the only country to vote against.

Meanwhile, an aid consignment from the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Transport Federation, the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions and the Palestine General Federation Of Trade Unions has arrived in Egypt en route to Gaza.

The cargo, including three ambulances, a range of medical supplies, milk for babies, rice, wheat and children's food, will be distributed by the Red Crescent

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/news/world/activists...ssion