Free Gaza Boat “Spirit of Humanity” departs Cyprus
Free Gaza Movement | 30.06.2009 04:26 | Palestine | Social Struggles | World
The Free Gaza boat the “Spirit of Humanity” departed Cyprus at 7:30am
on Monday, 29 July. Twenty-one human rights and solidarity workers
representing eleven different countries were aboard. The passengers
include Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. congresswoman
Cynthia McKinney. The ship also carries three tons of medical aid,
children’s toys, and rehabilitation and reconstruction kits for twenty
family homes.
on Monday, 29 July. Twenty-one human rights and solidarity workers
representing eleven different countries were aboard. The passengers
include Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. congresswoman
Cynthia McKinney. The ship also carries three tons of medical aid,
children’s toys, and rehabilitation and reconstruction kits for twenty
family homes.
The Spirit of Humanity and The Dignity in Cyprus
Over 2,400 homes were destroyed in Gaza during the Israeli massacre in
December/January, 490 of them by F-16 airstrikes, as well as 30
mosques, 29 educational institutions, 29 medical centers, 10
charitable organizations, and 5 cement factories.
Each kit carries a small amount of supplies for a single family,
representing sectors of civil society currently being blockaded by
Israel: Agriculture, Building & Reconstruction, Education,
Electricity, Health, and Water & Sanitation. Although over 4 billion
dollars in aid was promised to Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli
onslaught, little humanitarian aid and no reconstruction supplies have
been allowed in.
Quotes:
Mairead Maguire, co-winner of the 1977 Nobel Peace prize for her work
in Northern Ireland:
“[The Palestinians of Gaza] must know that we have not and will not
forget them.”
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney:
“[T]he U.S. should send a message to Israel reiterating the reported
White House position that the blockade of Gaza should be eased, and
that medical supplies and building materials, including cement, should
be allowed in … Will [President Obama] stand by his own words and
allow us to provide relief for Gaza or will he back down?”
Huwaida Arraf, Chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement:
“Israel’s closure policy is a blatant violation of international law.
We call upon our governments to take action to uphold their
obligations under the Fourth Geneva Conventions. Until they do, we
will act.
Passengers aboard the Spirit of Humanity include:
Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association
of Bahrain.
Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.
Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.
Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.
Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.
Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.
Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-
coordinator for this voyage.
Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and
founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries
focus on international struggles for social justice.
Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.
Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate
aboard the Spirit of Humanity.
Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to
do long-term human rights monitoring.
Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth
voyage to Gaza.
Fathi Jaouadi, UK/Tunisia
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-
coordinator for this voyage.
Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.
Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.
Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza
to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social
justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and
presidential candidate.
Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to
do long-term human rights monitoring.
Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to
do human rights monitoring.
Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.
Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights
monitoring.
December/January, 490 of them by F-16 airstrikes, as well as 30
mosques, 29 educational institutions, 29 medical centers, 10
charitable organizations, and 5 cement factories.
Each kit carries a small amount of supplies for a single family,
representing sectors of civil society currently being blockaded by
Israel: Agriculture, Building & Reconstruction, Education,
Electricity, Health, and Water & Sanitation. Although over 4 billion
dollars in aid was promised to Gaza in the aftermath of the Israeli
onslaught, little humanitarian aid and no reconstruction supplies have
been allowed in.
Quotes:
Mairead Maguire, co-winner of the 1977 Nobel Peace prize for her work
in Northern Ireland:
“[The Palestinians of Gaza] must know that we have not and will not
forget them.”
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney:
“[T]he U.S. should send a message to Israel reiterating the reported
White House position that the blockade of Gaza should be eased, and
that medical supplies and building materials, including cement, should
be allowed in … Will [President Obama] stand by his own words and
allow us to provide relief for Gaza or will he back down?”
Huwaida Arraf, Chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement:
“Israel’s closure policy is a blatant violation of international law.
We call upon our governments to take action to uphold their
obligations under the Fourth Geneva Conventions. Until they do, we
will act.
Passengers aboard the Spirit of Humanity include:
Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association
of Bahrain.
Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.
Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.
Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.
Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.
Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.
Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-
coordinator for this voyage.
Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and
founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries
focus on international struggles for social justice.
Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.
Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate
aboard the Spirit of Humanity.
Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to
do long-term human rights monitoring.
Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth
voyage to Gaza.
Fathi Jaouadi, UK/Tunisia
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-
coordinator for this voyage.
Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.
Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.
Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza
to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social
justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and
presidential candidate.
Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to
do long-term human rights monitoring.
Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to
do human rights monitoring.
Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.
Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights
monitoring.
Free Gaza Movement
Homepage:
http://www.freegaza.org/
Additions
Israeli Navy surrounding SPIRIT and threatening to open fire
30.06.2009 04:34
At 1:40 am, the Israeli Navy surrounded the SPIRIT while in international waters off the coast of Israel as it is on its way to the Gaza Strip. We got a call from the boat saying that they were being threatened, told to turn back or they would be fired on.
Huwaida Arraf, one of the delegation leaders, was on the phone with the Israeli gunboats, and we could hear her saying, "You Cannot Open Fire on Unarmed Civilians" several times. At this writing, they are surrounded by several ships shining bright lights into the SPIRIT.
CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
Free Gaza Movement
357 99 081 767
www.freegaza.org
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
Huwaida Arraf, one of the delegation leaders, was on the phone with the Israeli gunboats, and we could hear her saying, "You Cannot Open Fire on Unarmed Civilians" several times. At this writing, they are surrounded by several ships shining bright lights into the SPIRIT.
CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il Free Gaza Movement
357 99 081 767
www.freegaza.org
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/
Free Gaza Movement
Homepage:
http://www.freegaza.org/
Call off your attack dogs
30.06.2009 04:36
We just spoke to the passengers. Everyone is OK, but the situation is still very tense. They continue to be surrounded by Israeli warships which are threatening to open fire. The Israeli Navy is actively jamming all navigation systems in violation of international maritime law, endangering the people on board.
Former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, speaking from on board the SPIRIT, stated, "I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God's name would Israel want to attack us and threaten our safety and welfare. I call on President Obama and the international community to intervene now to prevent this situation from escalating with potentially drastic results to the civilians on board."
Since the boat's navigation equipment is being jammed, it has turned westward in order to stay in international waters.The Captain and crew are working from the most ancient of navigation equipment...the compass to stay clear of Israeli waters.
The video of our leaving:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRiE7LEkUZk
Former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, speaking from on board the SPIRIT, stated, "I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God's name would Israel want to attack us and threaten our safety and welfare. I call on President Obama and the international community to intervene now to prevent this situation from escalating with potentially drastic results to the civilians on board."
Since the boat's navigation equipment is being jammed, it has turned westward in order to stay in international waters.The Captain and crew are working from the most ancient of navigation equipment...the compass to stay clear of Israeli waters.
The video of our leaving:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRiE7LEkUZk
Cynthia McKinney
Update on the Spirit
30.06.2009 04:37
We just spoke again with our people aboard the Spirit of Humanity. The Israeli Navy is continuing to try and intimidate the ship, and is actively jamming its radar, GPS, and navigation systems in direct violation of international maritime law. This jamming is extremely dangerous and directly threatens the welfare and safety of everyone aboard our civilian ship.
Because their instrumentation is being jammed, they are using compass & paper to attempt to navigate. They are in international waters & they believe their location is approximately 110km off of the town of Hadera. Everyone is tired but determined. They are not being deterred by the Israeli aggression & are continuing toward Gaza. Please help them.
Please CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il
CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
Because their instrumentation is being jammed, they are using compass & paper to attempt to navigate. They are in international waters & they believe their location is approximately 110km off of the town of Hadera. Everyone is tired but determined. They are not being deterred by the Israeli aggression & are continuing toward Gaza. Please help them.
Please CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175
CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod.gov.il
Free Gaza Movement
Homepage:
http://www.freegaza.org/
Comments
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1.5m Gazans ‘trapped in despair’
30.06.2009 05:33
Israel’s restrictions on the enclave’s crossing points, most of which it controls, and its stringent limitations on imports such as building materials, spare parts and basic medicines are making it “impossible” for Gazans to rebuild their lives, the Geneva-based group said in a report. It warned that should the restrictions not be lifted, the $4.5bn in aid pledged in March by international donors to help reconstruct Gaza will be of little use.
Israel launched its military operation in Gaza in December to curtail rocket barrages fired on its southern communities by militants from the territory that is ruled by Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group that seized control of the region in June 2007. Human rights groups claimed that some 1,400 people were killed in the assault, while thousands of homes were partly or wholly destroyed and much of the infrastructure damaged.
The group said the amount of goods Israel is allowing into Gaza is much lower than the quantities needed by its population. According to the report, 2,662 truckloads of merchandise entered Gaza from Israel last month, 80 per cent less than the imports in April of 2007, before Hamas took over the territory.
The ICRC cautioned that neighbourhoods in Gaza “will continue to look like the epicentre of a massive earthquake” unless Israel allows in cement, steel and other building materials. The group, which has 109 staff members working in Gaza, added: “Until that happens, thousands of families who lost everything will be forced to live in cramped conditions with relatives. Others will continue to live in tents, as they have nowhere else to go.”
According to the report, the water and sanitation networks are nearing collapse and raising the risk of a “major public health crisis”, while hospitals are rundown and constantly short of basic items ranging from painkillers and X-ray film developers to artificial limbs for dozens of people wounded in the attacks.
Furthermore, the ICRC said, the region’s economy is fast deteriorating with unemployment in April reaching 44 per cent, 96 per cent of industrial operations shut down and more than 70 per cent of Gazans living in poverty.
The group added: “Most of the very poor have exhausted their coping mechanisms. Many have no savings left. They have sold private belongings such as jewelry and furniture and started to sell productive assets including farm animals, land, fishing boats or cars used as taxis.” The report said that the declining living standards will especially hurt the long-term health and well-being of children, who make up more than half of Gaza’s population.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009
Vita Bekker in Tel Aviv
Homepage:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cd8bae1e-64db-11de-a13f-00144feabdc0.html