The giant freedom flotilla is under way to Gaza this week from several countries, nine boats. They’re due in Gaza on Thursday. Breaking the US blackout on the story, The Hill is covering the flotilla, a piece by Iara Lee, who is on board.
Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), who has visited Gaza on repeated occasions since the Israeli military offensive, has stated, “The personal stories of children being killed in their homes or schools, entire families wiped out, and relief workers prevented from evacuating the wounded are heart wrenching — what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words.”
Those of us taking this voyage are of course concerned for our safety. In the past, some boats attempting to bring much needed supplies to Gazans have been violently harassed by Israeli forces. On Dec. 30, 2008, the vessel Dignity was carrying volunteer surgeons and three tons of medical supplies when it was attacked without warning by an Israeli naval ship, which rammed the boat three times in international waters roughly 90 miles from Gaza’s coast. Passengers and crew feared for their lives as their boat quickly took on water and Israeli troops threatened to open fire.
I am joining the effort, nonetheless, because I believe resolutely non-violent actions that call attention to the blockade are vital in educating the public about what is taking place. Simply put, there is no decent justification for preventing shipments of humanitarian aid from reaching a people in crisis.
Meantime, Debkafile is saying that the Turks have warned the Israelis of reprisals if they stop the boats.
The Turkish government sent a secret message to Jerusalem Monday, May 24, threatening reprisals if the Israeli Navy prevents the "Freedom Flotilla" of nine boats from reaching the Gaza Strip on May 27 for the avowed objects of breaking Israel’s blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory and delivering humanitarian aid. debkafile‘s military and intelligence sources report that the Turkish message was an ultimatum to Israel threatening retaliation against Israeli interests. It is backed by the unreported presence of one or more helicopters on one or more of the Turkish vessels for challenging Israeli Air Force support for the naval blockade.
Three boats set sail from Turkey Sunday, May 23, to rendezvous en route with vessels from the UK, Greece, Algeria, Ireland, Sweden and Kuwait carrying 750 assorted pro-Palestinian activists and $20 m worth of cement, medical equipment and schools supplies. The venture, on behalf of the Turkish-based Humanitarian Aid Foundation is sponsored personally by Prime Minister Recep Erdogen. This foundation is quietly sponsored by Turkish intelligence and all its operations, including the Gaza flotilla, the most ambitious yet for breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza – drawn from the prime minister’s office in Ankara.
Israel has imposed a 20-nautical mile closure on the Gaza coast and vowed to prevent the Turkish-led flotilla from entering port.
