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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.FreeGaza.org
Israel Threatens to Shoot Unarmed Civilians aboard Mercy Ship
For more information, please contact:
(Cyprus) Lubna Masarwa, +357 97 625 828 <
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>
(Cyprus) Mary Hughes, +357 99 081 767 <
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>
(Gaza) Ewa Jasiewicz, +972 598 700 497 <
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>
(Mediterranean Sea, 15 January 2009) - The Israeli navy today threatened
to kill unarmed civilians aboard a mercy ship on its way to deliver
medical supplies and doctors to besieged Gaza.
The Free Gaza Movement ship, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, left Cyprus Wednesday
morning carrying doctors, journalists, human rights workers, and
parliamentarians. The ship also carried over a ton of desperately needed
medicines donated by the European Campaign to Break the Siege, intended
for overwhelmed hospitals in the Gaza Strip. At the request of the ship’s
organizers the passenger list and manifest were publicly released, and
Cypriot authorities searched the boat prior to its departure in order to
certify that it only carried humanitarian items. The organizers also sent
an official notification to the Israeli government of their intent to
break through the blockade of Gaza.
At roughly 3am UST (1am GMT), in international waters 100 miles off the
coast of Gaza, at least five Israeli gunboats surrounded the SPIRIT OF
HUMANITY and began recklessly cutting in front of the slow-moving civilian
craft. The Israeli warships radioed the SPIRIT, demanding that the ship
turn around or they would open fire and “shoot.” When asked if the Israeli
navy was acknowledging that they intended to commit a war crime by
deliberately firing on unarmed civilians, the warships replied that they
were prepared to use “any means” to stop the ship.
An earlier attempt by Free Gaza to deliver doctors and medical supplies
ended on 30 December when Israeli gunboats deliberately and repeatedly
rammed the DIGNITY, almost sinking that ship. Rather than endanger the
lives of its passengers, the SPIRIT is now returning to Cyprus.
Israel's reckless and shocking threats against an unarmed ship on a
mission of mercy are a violation of both international maritime law and
the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which states that "the high seas
should be reserved for peaceful purposes."
CALL the Israeli Government and demand that it immediately STOP attacking
the civilian population of Gaza and STOP using violence to prevent human
rights and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.
Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office:
+972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
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Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence:
+972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
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The Israeli Navy Spokesperson:
+ 972 5 781 86248
###
The Free Gaza Movement, a human rights group, sent two boats to Gaza in
August 2008. These were the first international boats to land in the port
in 41 years. Since August, four more voyages were successful, taking
Parliamentarians, human rights workers, and other dignitaries to witness
the effects of Israel's draconian policies on the civilians of Gaza.
http://www.FreeGaza.org
For Immediate Release
January 14, 2009
SPIRIT OF HUMANITY SETS SAIL FOR GAZA
Contact: Mary Hughes, Cyprus +357 99 08 17 67
Karin Pally, Cyprus +357 96 48 80 15
Huwaida Arraf, Gaza +972 599 130 426
Angela Godfrey Goldstein, Jerusalem: +972 547 366 393
(Larnaca, 14 January 2009) - At 10:30 Wednesday morning, under bright blue
Mediterranean skies, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY sailed from the port of
Larnaca. Undeterred by Israeli threats of interception at sea, 21
passengers and crew waved to friends and press on shore, committed to our
mission of delivering doctors, journalists, human rights observers and a
shipment of medical supplies to assist the civilian population of Gaza
during this emergency. The unarmed mercy ship is expected to arrive in
Gaza early Thursday morning.
An earlier attempt to reach Gaza on Monday, 12 January had to be postponed
when the ship experienced mechanical difficulties at sea. The ship
returned to Cyprus for repairs before departing again for Gaza this
morning.
"Israel has an obligation to protect the civilian population that it
occupies" stated Free Gaza delegation leader Huwaida Arraf. "Since Israel
continues to violate this obligation, we will continue to do whatever we
can to deliver badly needed medical supplies, food, and to transport
medical personnel, journalists and human rights workers to help and to
witness the devastation Israel has wrought."
The physicians on board include a reconstructive plastic surgeon and an
orthopedic surgeon and another physician. All three doctors will bring
crucial assistance to the exhausted and overwhelmed hospital staff in Gaza
where emergency resources don't begin to meet the need.
###
WHAT YOU CAN DO
www.FreeGaza.org
Take Action! CALL the Israeli Government and let them know that the mercy
ship SPIRIT OF HUMANITY is coming to Gaza. DEMAND that Israel immediately
STOP slaughtering civilians in Gaza and STOP using violence to prevent
human rights and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.
CALL
Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office:
+972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence:
+972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy:
+ 972 5 781 86248
-----
International Press Contacts for the Free Gaza Movement
(available for interviews and speaking engagements)
(Britain) Rachel Kane, English
tel: +44 78 1804 0982
email:
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(Britain) Osama Qashoo, English/Arabic
tel: +44 78 338 1660
email:
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(Cyprus) Lubna Masarwa, English/Arabic/Hebrew
tel: +357 97 625 828
email:
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(Cyprus) Mary Hughes, English
tel: +357 99 081 767
email:
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(Egypt/Gaza) Caoimhe Butterly, English/Arabic
tel: +20 121 027 072 / +972 598 273 960
email:
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(France) Bianca Shanaa, French/Arabic/English
tel: +33 663 59 2028
email:
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(Gaza) Ewa Jasiewicz, English/Arabic/Polish
tel: +972 598 700 497
email:
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(Gaza) Huwaida Arraf, English/Arabic
tel: +972 599 130 426
email:
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(Greece) Petros Kontra, Greek/English
tel: +30 697 612 7545
email:
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(Greece) Dr. Panagiotis Politis, Greek/English
tel: +30 697 731 5619
email:
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(Lebanon) Dr. Rania Masri, Arabic/English
tel: + 961 3 135279
email:
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(Spain) Mariam Fernández, Spanish/English
tel: +34 671 002 015
email:
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(USA) Ramzi Kysia, English
tel: +1 703 994 5422
email:
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(USA) Dr. Paul Larudee, English/French/Arabic
tel: 510 418 4485
email:
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###
www.FreeGaza.org
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