'Freedom Flotilla' aid convoy sets off for Gaza

'Freedom Flotilla' aid convoy sets off for Gaza

www.haaretz.com

The organization of Gush Shalom has called on the Israeli government to allow the aid convoy to reach Gaza.


"The State of Israel has no interest in footage of its navy violently assaulting against peace activists at sea flooding television screens all over the world. It is time to remove the suffocating siege and allow residents of Gaza to have free contact with the outside world, freely operate sea and air ports of their own like any country in the world," read a statement by Gush Shalom.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.google.com
www.presstv.ir
english.aljazeera.net
arabnews.com

[edit on 25-5-2010 by Peruvianmonk]

Among the passengers are lawmakers from a dozen European countries, a Holocaust survivor in her 80s, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a retired U.S. army colonel, Berlin said.

www.google.com...

This could get very interesting. When the Israelis block these ships and they try and force their way through expect bloodshed. More terrible PR imminent for the Israelis.

Israeli officals are calling this humanitarian mission 'illegal'. I don't see how Israeli law actually applies here as the convoy will not be sailing through Israeli waters at any point.

The Free Gaza Movement.

www.freegaza.org...

Long Live Sacred Palestine.

www.haaretz.com
(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 25-5-2010 by Peruvianmonk]

Korea in edge without Chinese condemnation and this Gaza Aid Fleet supported by Turkey at very same day, and same moment - coinsidense? Yeah, right!

Turkey to Israel: Lift blockade of Gaza
www.haaretz.com...

Its straight question to US/Israel governments... "You want war? - You will have many."

I think future of this aid fleet will make a historical difference in ME future. I hope Israel will make smart decission once, and just pull out from this and really start those direct peace negotiations.

Very interesting news days ahead - just cant sleep anymore!

[edit on 25-5-2010 by JanusFIN]

so they're heading for greece where they will be joined by more ships and then head to gaza. anyone know what day the may reach gaza ?

reply to post by RizeorDie


Friday.

Second line.

reply to post by RizeorDie

I read they will reach Gaza coast wednesday evening Israels time. ( Israeli source ) - So its only about 20 hours from now.

Thursday dawn will be moment of showdown, if there is nothing happening evening and night. I think they wont try sail in at night, but no further info is released, and I have follow this operation over a month now.

There is some Israeli flotilla first trying to drive them away offshore. ( not army ) Israels navy is ready to take over these aid boats closer to Gaza.

Looks like warm welcomes have already begun... Fear tactics?

Israel planes raid Gaza, hover around

Israeli warplanes carry out multiple raids on the southern parts of the Gaza Strip, raising the prospects of more airstrikes as they hover over the coastal sliver. The Tuesday attacks targeted tunnels near a disused airport in the city of Rafah, a Press TV correspondent reported. No injuries have yet been reported.

www.presstv.com...

I must say I'm more than a little shocked to see Turkey taking a position on this!

Can someone explain to me the reasoning behind that?

I think Turkey wants to play a bigger role on the World Stage. Been too quiet for too long. Also to show solidarity with Iran.

But for some reason, call it a "gut-feeling" or a near total lack of faith in humanity, but I don't see the flotilla arriving in Gaza in 1 piece.

And if that happens, it's not going to pretty for Israel.

reply to post by VinnieGregorino


Yeah, you're probably right.

I recall a dream I had in which Turkey surprised the 'West' by joining with our adversaries in some sort of global conflict, hope it stays just a dream. :O

reply to post by JanusFIN


A press release on Saturday from the group.

Boats will meet in the Mediterranean, then turn toward Gaza to arrive at its beseiged slice of beachfront by the end of May. Free Gaza Movement’s MV Rachel Corrie is already on her way from Ireland and is presently off the coast of Portugal loaded with cement, paper and supplies for school children and medical equipment.

www.freegaza.org...

Basically it will be in the next few days that they will arrive. I don't think those Israeli civilian flotillas will be able to turn them back, the Israeli Navy will have to, in their eyes, directly intervene.

My Rachel Corrie.



[edit on 26-5-2010 by Peruvianmonk]

How any country can think it is acceptable to prevent food and medical supplies getting to a starving sick population is beyond my comprehension.

Unless I entertain the idea that the intended result is the slow death by starvation and disease of such a population.

The UN should have been sent in years ago-Its not up to israel to say who lives and dies in Gaza IMO.

Imagine if Saddam had done the same to his neighbors-the west would have called it attempted genocide.

But of course we are not allowed to say that about our "friend" israel.

reply to post by Silcone Synapse


Agreed. It seems pretty clear to me that this Israeli administration's ultimate goal is the complete removal of the Palestinian populace from the region.

All they need is the right global crisis when everyone's attention is focused somewhere else and they will make a move.

Turkish aid ship.






[edit on 26-5-2010 by Peruvianmonk]

Just out of curiosity Has this ever been attempted before? surely this can't be the first time that people (civilians) have tried to give aid to gaza via the sea.

reply to post by rationaluser


Yes several times.

December 2008. Turned back.

news.bbc.co.uk...

June 2009. Turned back.

news.bbc.co.uk...

Others have got through, but nothing since 2008 as far as i am aware.

I'll have my president order an escort for this humanitarian mission. We in the USA are all about helping people.

reply to post by rationaluser


George Galloway was criticized and even banned from entering Canada after arriving with aid in Gaza...simply because he gave it to hamas, which in the JDL's(extremists and linked to terrorism in the past) eyes meant he was giving aid to terrorists. Disregarding that they are the authorities in gaza so it's common sense to give it to them. I remember just after the operation cast lead Israel stopped a shipment of pasta to gaza because it could be used to make bombs...and around that same time Israel had no problem receiving thousands and thousand of tonnes of ammunition from America. I honestly don't know how any one can defend Israel...it's a rogue nuclear armed state, nothing more and nothing less. The sooner we place strict economic sanctions on it the better off Palestinians and in the long run Israeli civilians will be imo. Take away it's ability to continue it's rabid and brutal policies so that it is forced to change it's views and policies.


[edit on 26-5-2010 by Solomons]

Would it be too far of a stretch to predict that "sources claim that the ship is carrying weapons and rockets bound for Hamas" stories will soon be hatched?

That's how these events usually play out. Then everyone will go "tsk..tsk". And some new crisis will become news. Then more people will suffer and be mistreated. Then another rescue operation is hatched. Rinse...repeat

I wish these brave folks luck, they'll need it.

I hope OP will keep this thread updated as the flotilla nears Gaza. Should prove to be interesting as I don't think I've seen a flotilla head for Gaze with such large ships.

The Israelis won't be able to just ram these big boats like they have in the past.

(Remember they rammed the boat former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney was on. This link is to that old story.)
www.rawstory.com...

Originally posted by muggl3z
I must say I'm more than a little shocked to see Turkey taking a position on this!

Can someone explain to me the reasoning behind that?

In the past , Turks have ruled OVER Arabs & Jews , peacefully .

Current Israeli policies are not creating peace in ME .

Palestian issue is a festering wound of humanity and Turks are just attending to it , naturally .

War with Iran is not necessary , change can be brought in with civil means alone .

btw , the convoy has nothing to with Turkish Government .