Friday, July 01, 2011
Canadians To Gaza
A Canadian aid convoy prepares to set sail for the blockaded Gaza Strip despite Israeli threats to confront activists aboard a Gaza-bound international flotilla.
The Canadian boat, Tahrir, is now under a 24-hour security watch before its planned journey to the impoverished coastal sliver, as another vessel in the Freedom Flotilla II was sabotaged while docked at Greek ports, a Press TV correspondent reported on Wednesday.
The flotilla members said on Tuesday that a joint Greek, Swedish and Norwegian boat was found sabotaged with serious damage to its propeller. The activists strongly suspect the involvement of Israeli agents in the act of sabotage.
The flotilla organizers say there are powers at work trying to stop the flotilla through sabotage, diplomatic pressure and intimidation. However, the organizers enjoy the support of trade unions in Greece, who have installed a giant screen to follow the progress of the ships.
On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened that the flotilla activists would be confronted, should they approach the Palestinian enclave.
The organizers have made it clear that their goals are political as well as humanitarian. They want an end to the blockade of Gaza and the liberation of Palestine.
"The people of Gaza ask for the possibility to make a living, to have a dignified life, to trade with other people, to be able to cross their border under their own control," said Stephen Corriveau with the Canadian boat to Gaza.
Tahrir carries a 30,000-dollar worth of medical supplies, tailored to the specifications of doctors in Gaza.
On Monday, the international coalition organizing the Freedom Flotilla II held a press conference in Athens with representatives from all of the ships.
"We have learned that an Israeli law center financed by an American conservative, religious group, headed by John Hagee, is funding the attack on the Gaza flotilla. We call on the Greek government to let us sail," said Ann Wright, a former US State Department official with the flotilla.
Some 1.5 million people in Gaza are being denied their basic rights including the freedom of movement and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
The Canadian boat, Tahrir, is now under a 24-hour security watch before its planned journey to the impoverished coastal sliver, as another vessel in the Freedom Flotilla II was sabotaged while docked at Greek ports, a Press TV correspondent reported on Wednesday.
The flotilla members said on Tuesday that a joint Greek, Swedish and Norwegian boat was found sabotaged with serious damage to its propeller. The activists strongly suspect the involvement of Israeli agents in the act of sabotage.
The flotilla organizers say there are powers at work trying to stop the flotilla through sabotage, diplomatic pressure and intimidation. However, the organizers enjoy the support of trade unions in Greece, who have installed a giant screen to follow the progress of the ships.
On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened that the flotilla activists would be confronted, should they approach the Palestinian enclave.
The organizers have made it clear that their goals are political as well as humanitarian. They want an end to the blockade of Gaza and the liberation of Palestine.
"The people of Gaza ask for the possibility to make a living, to have a dignified life, to trade with other people, to be able to cross their border under their own control," said Stephen Corriveau with the Canadian boat to Gaza.
Tahrir carries a 30,000-dollar worth of medical supplies, tailored to the specifications of doctors in Gaza.
On Monday, the international coalition organizing the Freedom Flotilla II held a press conference in Athens with representatives from all of the ships.
"We have learned that an Israeli law center financed by an American conservative, religious group, headed by John Hagee, is funding the attack on the Gaza flotilla. We call on the Greek government to let us sail," said Ann Wright, a former US State Department official with the flotilla.
Some 1.5 million people in Gaza are being denied their basic rights including the freedom of movement and the right to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education.
