[E-rundbrief] Info 787 - Israeli navy stopps Peace Boat

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief - Info 787 - Israel Threatens to Shoot Unarmed Civilians 
aboard Mercy Ship (" SPIRIT OF HUMANITY" forced by Israeli navy to 
return to Cyprus).

Bad Ischl, 15.1.2009

Begegnungszentrum für aktive Gewaltlosigkeit

www.begegnungszentrum.at

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Israel Threatens to Shoot Unarmed Civilians aboard Mercy Ship

Thursday, 15 January 2009 09:26

Written by Free Gaza Movement

www.FreeGaza.org

  For more information, please contact:
(Cyprus) Lubna Masarwa, +357 97 625 828
(Cyprus) Mary Hughes, +357 99 081 767
(Gaza) Ewa Jasiewicz, +972 598 700 497

  (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, and
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
mark.regev at it.pmo.gov.il 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
mediasar at mod.gov.il This e-mail address is being protected from
spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  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

-- 

Matthias Reichl, Pressesprecher/ press speaker,
Begegnungszentrum fuer aktive Gewaltlosigkeit
Center for Encounter and active Non-Violence
Wolfgangerstr. 26, A-4820 Bad Ischl, Austria,
fon: +43 6132 24590, Informationen/ informations,
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