Freedom Flotilla II: Difference between revisions

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Undid revision 436303357 by TaalVerbeteraar (talk) POV - i can bring many sources that say it is a legal blockade. better to avoid the labeling.
Undid revision 436309611 by Soosim, thus restoring TaalVerbeteraar's well-sourced content.
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2011}}
On 9 May 2011 a coalition of 22 [[NGO]]s announced that '''"Freedom Flotilla II&nbsp;– Stay Human"''' was planned to break the Israeli blockade of [[Gaza]], a year after the May 2010 Israeli raid on the first [[Gaza Flotilla Raid|Gaza Freedom Flotilla]] where 9 pro-Palestinian activists were killed.<ref name="IHH_FFII_ANNOUNCEMENT">{{cite news |url=http://www.ihh.org.tr/ii-ozgurluk-filosu-yoluna-devam-ediyor/en/ |newspaper=IHH |title=Freedom Flotilla II to go ahead as planned |date=11 May 2011}}</ref>
On 9 May 2011 a coalition of 22 [[NGO]]s announced that '''"Freedom Flotilla II&nbsp;– Stay Human"''' is planned to break the illegal<ref name="28 May 2008; U.N. envoy Tutu calls Gaza blockade illegal">{{cite news| url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUSL2849170120080528 | work=Reuters | title=U.N. envoy Tutu calls Gaza blockade illegal | date=May 28, 2008}}</ref><ref name="18 November 2008; UN rights chief urges Israel to end 'illegal' Gaza blockade">{{cite web|url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=206381 |title=Maan News Agency: UN rights chief urges Israel to end 'illegal' Gaza blockade |publisher=Maannews.net |date=2008-11-18 |accessdate=2011-03-27}}</ref><ref name="14 August 2009; U.N. Human Rights Chief: Israel's Blockade of Gaza Strip Is Illegal">{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,539363,00.html | work=Fox News | title=U.N. Human Rights Chief: Israel's Blockade of Gaza Strip Is Illegal | date=2009-08-14}}</ref><ref name="5 June 2010; Gaza blockade illegal, must be lifted-UN's Pillay">{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE65404020100605 | work=Reuters | title=Gaza blockade illegal, must be lifted-UN's Pillay | first=Aaron | last=Gray-Block | date=5 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="14 June 2010; BBC News - ICRC says Gaza blockade breaks law">{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10306193 | work=BBC News | title=ICRC says Israel's Gaza blockade breaks law | date=14 June 2010}}</ref> [[Blockade of the Gaza Strip (2007-present)|Israeli blockade]] of [[Gaza]], a year after the May 2010 Israeli raid on the first [[Gaza Flotilla Raid|Gaza Freedom Flotilla]] where 9 pro-Palestinian activists were killed.<ref name="IHH_FFII_ANNOUNCEMENT">{{cite news |url=http://www.ihh.org.tr/ii-ozgurluk-filosu-yoluna-devam-ediyor/en/ |newspaper=IHH |title=Freedom Flotilla II to go ahead as planned |date=11 May 2011}}</ref>


As of 24 June 2011, 10 ships, with 1,000 activists from 20 countries<ref name="AJN_24Jun2011a">{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/06/2011623152134419503.html |newspaper=[[Al Jazeera News]] |title=Flotilla II prepares to sail for Gaza |date=24 June 2011}}</ref> were set to sail for [[Gaza]] from various European ports, with humanitarian aid,<ref name="NYT_11May2011a">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/world/middleeast/12iht-M12-TURK-FLEET.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=A Year After Israeli Raid, 2nd Flotilla to Set Sail for Gaza |date=11 May 2011}}</ref> during last few days of June, or first few days of July 2011.<ref name="NYT_22June2011a">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/world/middleeast/22gaza.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=Israel to Allow Building Cargo to Enter Gaza |date=22 June 2011}}</ref> Originally it was thought that the [[MV Mavi Marmara|Mavi Marmara]] would lead the flotilla, but in mid-June, it was announced that the humanitarian aid ship would be unable to sail due to technical issues.<ref name="NYT_17June2011a">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/world/europe/18briefs-Turkey.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=Turkey: Aid Ship Won’t Join Flotilla |date=17 June 2011}}</ref>
As of 24 June 2011, 10 ships, with 1,000 activists from 20 countries<ref name="AJN_24Jun2011a">{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/06/2011623152134419503.html |newspaper=[[Al Jazeera News]] |title=Flotilla II prepares to sail for Gaza |date=24 June 2011}}</ref> were set to sail for [[Gaza]] from various European ports, with humanitarian aid,<ref name="NYT_11May2011a">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/world/middleeast/12iht-M12-TURK-FLEET.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=A Year After Israeli Raid, 2nd Flotilla to Set Sail for Gaza |date=11 May 2011}}</ref> during last few days of June, or first few days of July 2011.<ref name="NYT_22June2011a">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/world/middleeast/22gaza.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=Israel to Allow Building Cargo to Enter Gaza |date=22 June 2011}}</ref> Originally it was thought that the [[MV Mavi Marmara|Mavi Marmara]] would lead the flotilla, but in mid-June, it was announced that the humanitarian aid ship would be unable to sail due to technical issues.<ref name="NYT_17June2011a">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/world/europe/18briefs-Turkey.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=Turkey: Aid Ship Won’t Join Flotilla |date=17 June 2011}}</ref>

Revision as of 10:43, 26 June 2011

On 9 May 2011 a coalition of 22 NGOs announced that "Freedom Flotilla II – Stay Human" is planned to break the illegal[1][2][3][4][5] Israeli blockade of Gaza, a year after the May 2010 Israeli raid on the first Gaza Freedom Flotilla where 9 pro-Palestinian activists were killed.[6]

As of 24 June 2011, 10 ships, with 1,000 activists from 20 countries[7] were set to sail for Gaza from various European ports, with humanitarian aid,[8] during last few days of June, or first few days of July 2011.[9] Originally it was thought that the Mavi Marmara would lead the flotilla, but in mid-June, it was announced that the humanitarian aid ship would be unable to sail due to technical issues.[10]

Ships

As of 24 June 2011, the flotilla will consist of 10 ships, 8 for passengers, and 2 for cargo.

The following ships have recently confirmed their participation:

Country Boat No. passengers
 Canada Tahrir[11] 50
 France Dignité - Al Karama
Louise Michel[12]		 --
 Ireland MV Saoirse[13] 25
 Italy Stefano Chiarini[14] --
 Spain Gernika[7] 50
 United States The Audacity of Hope[15] 50
 European Union Eleftheri Mesogeios
(Greece, Sweden, Norway)[16]		 --

Organizers

The flotilla is being organized by various NGOs:[17]

Preparations

The IHH announced plans for the new flotilla, again led by the Mavi Marmara to depart for Gaza in June 2011. IHH President Fehmi Bulent Yıldırım said "Even if we sacrifice shahids (martyrs) for this cause, we will be on the side of justice."[18] In June 2011, the IHH conveyed a message to the Israeli government through Turkish Jews that the organization was not interested in another clash with Israel, and a proposal that the ships be inspected in a third-party country, such as Cyprus, before being allowed into Gaza.[19]

Plans for the new flotilla were met with international opposition. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Mediterranean governments to discourage the new flotilla and send aid through "legitimate crossings and established channels",[20] the United States warned against the flotilla reportedly considered asking Turkey to host a peace summit between Israel and the Palestinian Authority provided that it stop it,[21] and Canada warned its nationals not to participate in the flotilla and called it "provocative".[22] Turkey urged activists to reconsider the need for a flotilla in light of the newly opened Rafah crossing, but urged Israel to act wisely and avoid past mistakes.[citation needed]

In France, a ship purchased for the flotilla was prevented from sailing after being denied permission to dock in Marseille. The move followed intense political pressure by the Jewish community on members of Parliament, political parties, and organizations, which in turn pressured insurance companies and authorities.[23] A day before, the IHH had announced that was rethinking its participation in the flotilla and might withdraw from the initiative.[24] Although the Mavi Marmara was pulled out from the flotilla due to technical reasons on 17 June, the IHH is still part of the flotilla movement.[25]

Reaction

United Nations

On May 27 2011, UN Chief Ban Ki-moon asked for all governments to seek to discourage such flotillas. He also said that aid should go through legitimate and established channels, and called on all parties to 'act responsibly' such to avoid another violent incident.[26]

European Union

The EU donor coordination group for the Palestine Territories "calls on all international supporters to make use of the existing land crossings to channel their support to Gaza, and abstain from provocations."[27]

Gaza

On 24 June 2011 Ismail Haniya, the disputed Prime Minister of Palestinian National Authority, was interviewed as saying "The United Nations and all international law organizations should provide protection to the second flotilla that is preparing to sail to the Gaza Strip. The world must stop Israel from intercepting the ships, We believe that it is the right of the foreign activists to arrive in the Gaza Strip, and we condemn any Israeli threats against them. It is obvious that the Israeli occupation is preparing for another crime against them"[28]

Israel

On 16 June 2011, Israel warned it would "do anything" to prevent the ships from breaking its blockade on Gaza, and would again use force to board ships and confront the activists.[29] The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began training personnel for future flotillas. In addition to Shayetet 13 commandos, other naval and special forces units were also drilled to participate. IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi announced that Israel may deploy snipers to minimize troop casualties on the next flotilla.[30] The IDF also announced that attack dogs from Unit Oketz would be deployed before soldiers to neutralize threats.[31] In June 2011, the IDF released a video showing naval forces practicing an interception of the flotilla. The footage showed the use of high-powered water cannons aimed at vessels simulating flotilla ships, along with other means.[32]

Netherlands

Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal wrote a letter to the parliament calling on Dutch NGOs not to join the international flotilla headed to the Gaza Strip. He wrote that the cabinet believes that the flotilla will “not make the least contribution to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.[33]

United States

A U.S.-flagged ship The Audacity of Hope carrying Americans is expected as part of an international flotilla which aims to challenge Israel’s travel embargo to the Gaza Strip.[34]

U.S. State Department in "travel warning for Israel" advised U.S. citizens that they "could face arrest, prosecution and deportation by Israel if they join the flotilla."[35] State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said "Groups that seek to break Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza are taking irresponsible and provocative actions that risk the safety of their passengers. We urge all those seeking to provide such assistance to the people of Gaza...not to participate in actions like the planned flotilla."[36]

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said that "there are distinct mechanisms to deliver goods to Gaza and there are no justifications to sail directly to Gaza."[37]

International Red Cross

Mathilde Redmatn, the deputy director of the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip, said "There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. If you go to the supermarket, there are products,” she said, as reported on the IDF website. “There are restaurants and a nice beach. The problem is mainly in maintenance of infrastructure and in access to certain goods such as concrete. Israel has the legitimate right to protect [its] civilian population, this right should be balanced with the right of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip.”[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ "U.N. envoy Tutu calls Gaza blockade illegal". Reuters. 28 May 2008.
  2. ^ "Maan News Agency: UN rights chief urges Israel to end 'illegal' Gaza blockade". Maannews.net. 18 November 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  3. ^ "U.N. Human Rights Chief: Israel's Blockade of Gaza Strip Is Illegal". Fox News. 14 August 2009.
  4. ^ Gray-Block, Aaron (5 June 2010). "Gaza blockade illegal, must be lifted-UN's Pillay". Reuters.
  5. ^ "ICRC says Israel's Gaza blockade breaks law". BBC News. 14 June 2010.
  6. ^ "Freedom Flotilla II to go ahead as planned". IHH. 11 May 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Flotilla II prepares to sail for Gaza". Al Jazeera News. 24 June 2011.
  8. ^ "A Year After Israeli Raid, 2nd Flotilla to Set Sail for Gaza". The New York Times. 11 May 2011.
  9. ^ "Israel to Allow Building Cargo to Enter Gaza". The New York Times. 22 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Turkey: Aid Ship Won't Join Flotilla". The New York Times. 17 June 2011.
  11. ^ http://www.tahrir.ca/. Retrieved 24 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ http://www.freedomflotilla.eu/en/information/4-members-announcements/132-the-second-ship-for-gaza-has-left-france-the-second-freedom-flotilla-is-kicking-off. Retrieved 25 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ^ http://irishshiptogaza.org/. Retrieved 24 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ http://www.freedomflotilla.it/. Retrieved 24 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ "U.S. peace activists preparing to set sail on the U.S. Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope". 1 June 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  16. ^ http://www.freedomflotilla.eu/videos/video/234-Eleftheri. Retrieved 25 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ "NGO's that organized the flotilla". Freedom Flotilla Facts website. June 2011.
  18. ^ Magnezi, Aviel (18 May 2011). "IHH: Mavi Marmara ready for next flotilla". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  19. ^ Eichner, Itamar (14 June 2011). "IHH sends 'no violence' message to Israel". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  20. ^ Reuters (27 May 2010). "UN chief: Discourage new Gaza flotilla". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 18 June 2011. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  21. ^ Ynet (3 June 2011). "US: Peace summit instead of flotilla". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  22. ^ AFP (30 May 2011). "Canada warns citizens: Avoid Gaza flotilla". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  23. ^ Medzini, Ronen (15 June 2011). "French flotilla ship won't sail". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  24. ^ Magnezi, Aviel (15 June 2011). "IHH may not take part in flotilla". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  25. ^ http://www.ihh.org.tr/ii-ozgurluk-filosu-yoluna-devam-ediyor/en/
  26. ^ "Ban Ki-moon urges governments to discourage new Gaza convoy". 27 May 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  27. ^ Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton
  28. ^ "Hamas calls for international protection to Gaza-bound aid flotilla". 24 June 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  29. ^ "US Warns Americans Against Joining Gaza Aid Flotilla". The New York Times. 16 June 2011.
  30. ^ Harel, Amos (12 August 2010). "Ashkenazi: Next time, IDF will use snipers to halt Gaza-bound flotillas". Haaretz. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  31. ^ Greenberg, Hanan (7 October 2010). "Dogs to be used in next flotilla raid". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  32. ^ Greenberg, Hanan (16 July 2010). "Watch: Navy's flotilla drill". Ynetnews. Tel Aviv. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  33. ^ Rosenthal: don’t join Gaza flotilla
  34. ^ http://www.democracynow.org/2011/6/20/the_audacity_of_hope_us_peace The Audacity of Hope: U.S. Peace Activists to Sail to Gaza in Humanitarian Flotilla
  35. ^ US Warns Americans Against Joining Gaza Aid Flotilla
  36. ^ U.S. Warns Against New Gaza Flotilla Plans
  37. ^ Israel: New Gaza flotilla has ties to Hamas, terrorist organizations
  38. ^ Red Cross: No Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

External links

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