[Peace-discuss] The Freedom Flotilla Coalition to Sail to Gaza Again

[Robert Naiman via Peace-discuss]

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition to Sail to Gaza Again

August 12, 2014


*​Responding to the Israeli aggression and the  complicity of world
governments*

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) met in Istanbul in the shadow of the
latest Israeli aggression on Gaza. We have watched atrocities being
committed against an already besieged population. In the two day meeting
(August 10th and 11th), the FFC concluded that it is the responsibility of
civil society worldwide to sail to Gaza and challenge the Israeli blockade,
the source of most problems facing the Palestinian population of Gaza.

We plan to sail to Gaza during 2014, the UN International Year of
Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
http://unispal.un.org/unispal.nsf/solidarity.htm?OpenForm

This initiative, following in the footsteps of the 2010 and 2011 flotillas
as well as other attempts to challenge the blockade of Gaza (between 2008
and 2014), is expected to include a wider and more diverse international
participation.  This new flotilla is a reflection of the growing worldwide
solidarity with the Palestinian people; from the US to Malaysia, from
Scandinavia to South Africa.

"Calls to end the blockade of Gaza need to move from words to actions,"
said Ann Ighe, chairperson of Ship to Gaza and member of the FFC. We invite
all interested citizens worldwide to participate in this initiative in any
way you can."
These boats are also expected to carry Palestinian commercial products
purchased by buyers worldwide to complete the work of Gaza's Ark, the cargo
boat built by the Palestinians and the FFC in Gaza and was bombed by Israel
on July 11th.

"We urge all governments to defend Human Rights and the right of the
Palestinian people to freedom of movement, to facilitate the sailing of our
ships to Gaza. It is their responsibility," added Ehab Lotayef of the
coalition.
In addition to sailing to Gaza, the FFC will organize demonstrations at sea
and in ports worldwide over the next months. Along with other projects, the
initiative will support the right of Palestinians to operate international
marine lines in and out of the port of Gaza.

We support the Palestinian demand to open the port of Gaza to international
marine traffic. The FFC also will work on twinning ports in the
Mediterranean and beyond, with Gaza City, as a sign of solidarity and
support.

Finally, we assert that all that we do is peaceful, civil society driven
non-governmental actions.

*Freedom Flotilla Coalition members:*
European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza
Freedom Flotilla Italia
Gaza's Ark
IHH
International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza (ICBSG)
Rumbo a Gaza
Ship to Gaza Greece
Ship to Gaza Norway
Ship to Gaza Sweden

*also participating in the project:*
Palestine Solidarity Alliance - South Africa
Free Gaza
Haluan Palestin - Malaysia
Life Line to Gaza - Jordan
Miles of Smiles
Sahabat Al-Aqsha
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