See: Israel Attacks Justice Boat; Kidnaps Human Rights Workers; Confiscates Medicine, Toys And Olive Trees

Updates below

Dandelion Salad

gazafriends

June 29, 2009

The Spirit of Humanity left Cyprus on the 29th June at 7:30am. Will arrive in Gaza on 30th afternoon. update at 8.30pm 29th June: Dear Friends,

We’ve just heard from everyone on board the Spirit of Humanity. They are almost halfway to Gaza, a little over 100 kilometers off the coast of the Lebanon/Israel border. They’re a bit tired, but everyone is in good spirits and determined to reach Gaza. So far they have not seen any Israeli warships or had any radio contact with the IDF. From aboard the Spirit, Free Gaza organizer Lubna Masarwa stated that, “We’re intent and unworried – we’re sailing on. We will go to Gaza, in solidarity with the people. We want to break the Israeli siege in a practical way, and not just with words. Our message to Gaza – from all the Palestinians in ’48 and in the West Bank, and from all the good people in the world is – You are not alone!” Images by Greta Berlin

the song “Free Gaza” by Anis Hamadeh

Vodpod videos no longer available.

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The latest news from Cynthia McKinney via Anita Stewart:

The Spirit of Humanity, a Free Gaza ship is surrounded by Israeli Navy-radios jammed!

652PM ESTAt 1:40 am (local time), the Israeli Navy surrounded the SPIRIT while it is on its way to the Gaza Strip. We got a call from the boat saying that they were being threatened, told to turn back or they would be fired on.

Huwaida Arraf, one of the delegation leaders, was on the phone with the Israeli gunboats, and we could hear her saying, “You Cannot Open Fire on Unarmed Civilians” several times. At this writing, they are surrounded by several ships shining bright lights into the SPIRIT.

We just spoke to the passengers. Everyone is OK, but the situation is still very tense. They continue to be surrounded by Israeli warships which are threatening to open fire. The Israeli Navy is actively jamming all navigation systems in violation of international maritime law, endangering the people on board.

Former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, speaking from on board the SPIRIT, stated, “I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God’s name would Israel want to attack us and threaten our safety and welfare. I call on President Obama and the international community to intervene now to prevent this situation from escalating with potentially drastic results to the civilians on board.”

CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:

Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242

Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175

CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister’s office at:

Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264

mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il

CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:

Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148

mediasar@mod.gov.il

Free Gaza Movement

357 99 081 767

http://www.freegaza.org

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/

*******************************************

THIS CAME THROUGH @ 750PM EST

We just heard from the people on board the boat. The Israeli navy is jamming the radio and preventing navigation systems from working. This action is in direct violation of International and Maritime law.

If anything happens to the boat or its passengers, it will be the direct result of Israel’s aggressive response to a civilian boat taking unarmed passengers to Gaza. The Free Gaza Movement holds the government of Israel responsible for the safety and security of the passengers on board the SPIRIT.

We would like to emphasize that the boat is in international waters, and, as such, falls under the protection of international law.

Call, fax and email:

CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:

Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242

Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175

CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister’s office at:

Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264

mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il

CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:

Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148

mediasar@mod.gov.il

Free Gaza Movement

357 99 081 767

http://www.freegaza.org

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/

***

Update 1

from Anita Stewart

The Twitter:

FREE GAZA’S ship w/ Cynthia McKinney aboard is surrounded by Israeli Navy.

STANDOFF 4 now. C MAP & TWEETS: http://www.freegaza.org/live

http://dignity.ning.com

http://www.myspace.com/dignityaction

http://www.twitter.com/dignityaction

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Dignity-Action-Movement/108382693351

From 927PM EST

Dear Friends,

We just spoke again with our people aboard the Spirit of Humanity. The Israeli Navy is continuing to try and intimidate the ship, and is actively jamming its radar, GPS, and navigation systems in direct violation of international maritime law. This jamming is extremely dangerous and directly threatens the welfare and safety of everyone aboard our civilian ship.

Because their instrumentation is being jammed, they are using compass & paper to attempt to navigate. They are in international waters & they believe their location is approximately 110km off of the town of Hadera. Everyone is tired but determined. They are not being deterred by the Israeli aggression & are continuing toward Gaza. Please help them.

***

from Anita Stewart

http://www.freegaza.org

Update 2

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 05:04 Written by Free Gaza Team

This is a HELP message. We have been contacted by the Israelis but are still fine, don’t worry.

ESN:0-7490415

Latitude:32.3741

Longitude:33.6536

Nearest Location:not known

Distance:not known

Time:06/30/2009 06:55:58 (Europe/Nicosia)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.3741,33.6536&ll=32.3741,33.6536&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

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Video:

New Red Cross Report On Gaza: Residents Trapped In Despair!

see

Freegaza – Press Conference, Today, Journalist House, Nicosia, 17:00-17:30

Israel Attacks Justice Boat; Kidnaps Human Rights Workers; Confiscates Medicine, Toys And Olive Trees

Free Gaza Special Edition: In Cyprus, determined to sail to Gaza

Interview with Cynthia McKinney on Gaza

They Denied Us So They Wouldn’t Have to Ram Us!–UPDATED

Gaza

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