[Imc-East.-Mediterr.] Public Advisory from the Free Gaza Movement

Thu Jun 25 15:05:34 PDT 2009

PUBLIC ADVISORY

(25 June 2009, LARNACA) - This is not the statement we in the Free Gaza
Movement intended to release today. We had hoped to announce that our two
ships, the Free Gaza and the Spirit of Humanity, departed from Larnaca Port
on a 30-hour voyage to besieged Gaza, carrying human rights activists who
have travelled to Cyprus from all across the world for this journey, and a
cargo of 3 tons of medical supplies, and 15 tons of badly needed concrete
and reconstruction supplies.

Nobel peace laureate Mairead Maguire, returning for her second trip to Gaza
aboard one of our ships, said "[The people of Gaza] must know that we have
not and will not forget them."

That was our hope, but that is not what happened.

Instead, our ships were not given permission to leave today due to concerns
about our welfare and safety. Our friends in Cyprus tell us that the voyage
to Gaza is too dangerous, and they are worried we will be harmed at sea.
Cyprus has been a wonderful home for the Free Gaza Movement over these last
10 months. Cypriots know first-hand the terrible consequences of occupation.
They too know what it is to suffer from violence, injustice, and exile.
Since our first voyage to break through the siege of Gaza, the Cypriot
authorities have been extremely helpful and understanding of our goals and
intentions. 

The journey to Gaza is dangerous. The Israeli navy rammed our flagship, the
Dignity, when we attempted to deliver medical supplies to Gaza during their
vicious assault in December/January. Israel has previously threatened to
open fire on our unarmed ships, rather than allow us to deliver humanitarian
and reconstruction supplies to the people of Gaza.  The risks we take on
these trips are tiny compared to the risks imposed every day upon the people
of Gaza. 

The purpose of nonviolent direct action and civil resistance is to take
risks - to put ourselves "in the way" of injustice. We take these risks well
aware of what the possible consequences may be. We do so because the
consequences of doing nothing are so much worse. Anytime we allow ourselves
to be bullied, every time we pass by an evil and ignore it - we lower our
standards and allow our world to be made that much harsher and unjust for us
all.

In addition to the concerns expressed by our Cypriot friends today, the
American consulate in Nicosia warned us not to go to Gaza, stating that:
".[T]he Israeli Foreign Ministry informed U.S. officials at the American
Embassy in Tel Aviv that Israel still considers Gaza an area of conflict and
that any Free Gaza boats attempting to sail to the Gaza Strip will "not be
permitted" to reach its destination."  Former U.S. Congresswoman &
presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney responded to this warning by
pointing out that, "The White House says that cement and medical supplies
should get into Gaza and that's exactly what we are attempting to take to
Gaza."

"Instead of quoting Israel policy to us," McKinney continued, ".the U.S.
should send a message to Israel reiterating the reported White House
position that the blockade of Gaza should be eased, that medical supplies
and building materials, including cement, should be allowed in. The Free
Gaza boats should be allowed to reach their destination, traveling from
Cyprus territorial waters, through international waters, and straight into
Gaza territorial waters."  

"The State Department has chosen to advise us to take the Israeli
notification seriously.  Our question is, 'Can we take President Obama
seriously?'  Will he stand by his own words and allow us to provide relief
for Gaza or will he back down?"

Tomorrow we will deliver a waiver, signed by all going to Gaza, that we
absolve Cyprus of all responsibility for our safety. We would like to tell
our friends here in Cyprus that though we understand and appreciate their
concerns, we will not back down to Israel's threats and intimidation.

###

www.FreeGaza.org

Greta Berlin
Free Gaza Movement
+357 99 081 767
www.freegaza.org
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195 at N02/
Doha Press Conference on June 22nd:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWI-5KOBo3o

PASSENGER LIST (individual details available at the website)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/951-kathy-sheetz-us> Kathy Sheetz (US)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/948-alex-hamilton> Alex Hamilton (UK)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/947-john-klusmire> John Klusmire (US)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/946-ishmahil-blagrove> Ishmahil Blagrove (Jamaica, UK)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/943-peter-eyre> Peter Eyre (UK)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/942-ahmed-masood> Ahmed Masood (Palestine)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/940-iason-athanasiadis> Iason Athanasiadis (Greece)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/939-davide-pecorelli> Davide Pecorelli (Italy)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/938-adam-shapiro> Adam Shapiro (US)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/937-cynthia-mckinney> Cynthia McKinney (US)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/936-derek-and-jenny-graham> Derek and Jenny Graham (Ireland)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/935-lubna-marsawa> Lubna Marsawa (Palestine, Israel)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/934-mairead-maguire> Mairead Maguire (Ireland)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/933-denis-healey> Denis Healey (UK, Cyprus)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/932-fathi-jaouadi> Fathi Jaouadi (Tunisia, UK)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/931-theresa-mcdermott> Theresa McDermott (Scotland)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/930-huwaida-arraf> Huwaida Arraf (Palestine, Israel, US)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/929-adam-qvist> Adam Qvist (Denmark)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/928-mary-hughes-thompson> Mary Hughes Thompson (Canada)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/927-david-schermerhorn> David Schermerhorn (US)

<http://www.freegaza.org/en/boat-trips/passenger-lists/67-eighth-trip-to-gaz
a/925-waltraud-schauer> Waltraud Schauer (Austria)

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