Human rights activists from all over the world are aboard the flotilla, who have been joined by an Arab member of the Israeli parliament, Basel Ghattas and Tunisia's former president Mohamed al-Moncef al-Marzouki.
If weather conditions permit and the Israelis don’t create any hindrances, it is estimated that the flotilla would arrive in Gaza between two and four days, the statement added.
More than three boats are part of the flotilla with more than 50 crew members and passengers from about 20 countries.
"As a human being and an Israeli citizen, I do not want to stay silent over Israel's human rights violations," Zohar Chamberlain Regev, a member of the organization committee of the flotilla, told Anadolu Agency Saturday.
Regev said that the flotilla was aimed at giving Palestinians the right to move freely without being exposed to any restriction of the illegal Israeli occupation. "We want to reach Gaza. This is the only way to show the people of Gaza that we are in solidarity with them."
The flotilla was invited by Palestinians through numerous organizations, which works to help the wounded, homeless, unemployed and displaced due to Israeli military operations, according to the statement.
The coalition said its aim was not to act against Israel but against its occupation and added that it would not be needed had governments around the world reacted to the Israeli government’s acts against Palestinians.
The Third Freedom Flotilla has made several stops on its way to Gaza, in Greece, Spain and France.
Boats from the Canadian Boat to Gaza, Greece Ship to Gaza, Freedom Flotilla Italia, Norway Ship to Gaza, South Africa Palestine Solidarity Alliance, Spain Rumbo a Gaza and Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) are part of the third attempt.
The first Gaza Freedom Flotilla expedition in May 2010 ended in tragedy after Israeli commandos killed eight Turkish nationals and an American of Turkish origin in a raid on the flotilla ship, Mavi Marmara. Another person of Turkish nationality died in a hospital in 2014 after being in coma for almost four years.
www.aa.com.tr
27/6/15
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Related:
An IDF spokesman said Monday morning that after careful deliberation and exhaustive diplomatic efforts, Israeli security forces acted to prevent the flotilla "Marian" from breaching the the shores of Gaza, violating Israel naval blockade of the coastal enclave...
ReplyDeleteAccording to the IDF, Israeli security forces boarded the vessel without incident after passengers made it clear after numerous attempts that they would not acquiesce to the Army's demands and were subsequently force to proceed towards the port of Ashdod. The vessel is currently being escorted to Ashdod Port and is expected to arrive within 12-24 hours.
jpost.com