Stop Gaza blockade
TWO South Africans who were in the recently-intercepted Freedom Flotilla that attempted to break an 8-year Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip, were expected home yesterday.
Dr Clint Le Bruyns was in a standby vessel, while Ismail Moola provided logistical support for three boats and 50crew and passengers. Both represented the Palestine Solidarity Alliance, an affiliate of the National Coalition for Palestine (NC 4P).
The Freedom Flotilla, led by The Marianne, a Swedish boat sailing to Gaza from Greece, was carrying humanitarian goods when it was intercepted early on Monday morning by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). The boat was towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod, and its crew and passengers detained in Tel Aviv. Passengers included Israeli parliamentarian Basel Ghattas, former Tunisian president Moncef Marzuki, and Spanish Member of the European Parliament, Ana Miranda. Ghattas and Marzuki have been released, while most of the Marianne’s crew are now being held in Givon prison in Israel. Israel’s boarding of the Marianne ship in international waters is illegal. It is an act of piracy. Taser guns were also used on crew members by Israeli soldiers.
A similar attempt in 2010 by humanitarian activists, ended tragically when Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara ship, killing nine unarmed activists. In 2012, The Estelle also tried to break the Israeli siege on the Palestinian Gaza strip and activists were badly tasered and beaten clubbed.
By intercepting these humanitarian missions, the Israeli government chooses to enforce an inhumane and illegal collective punishment of 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel’s repeated acts of state piracy in international waters indicates its occupation and blockade policy extends to the entire eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The NC4 P demands that the Israeli government cease and desist from the illegal detention of peaceful civilians travelling in international waters in support of humanitarian causes.
We call on the Israeli government to immediately release the passengers and crew from The Marianne, who are still being held in an Israeli prison. All civil society organisations must condemn Israel’s actions.
We will continue to react to this injustice until the port of Gaza is open and the siege and occupation of Palestine ends.