At 1:40 am, 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.

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

CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod

Free Gaza Movement
357 99 081 767
freegaza
flickr

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 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."

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 JUNE 2009

"ALL WE WANT IS TO REACH GAZA. WE DO NOT SEEK A CONFRONTATION."
Activists aboard Gaza justice boat demand they be allowed to visit their friends & family in besieged Gaza, and deliver their cargo of medical supplies, children's toys, and reconstruction kits. They invite the world to join them.

(At Sea, 60km off the coast of the Gaza Strip) - Human Rights activists aboard the Free Gaza ship, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, today demanded that the Israeli Navy immediately stop threatening them.

Get on the phones everyone and call the Israeli government. Their offices are now open.

Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
+972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264
mark

Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
+972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148
mediasar@mod

Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
+ 972

Dear Friends,

We've just received word from the Spirit of Humanity. They are 24 miles off the coast of Gaza, and are still surrounded by Israeli warships. Israeli Occupying Forces have threatened to take violent action against the small boat unless it turns around. They will not turn around.

Our people on the boat have slowed their speed significantly and are telling the Israelis that they must not fire on unarmed human rights workers and journalists, including Nobel peace prize laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. Regardless of Israeli threats, they will not turn around. They continue, slowly, sailing toward Gaza.

Dear Friends,

Earlier today, Israeli Occupation Forces boarded the Free Gaza boat, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, and kidnapped 21 human rights workers and journalists who were on their way to deliver much needed humanitarian and reconstruction supplies to besieged Gaza. Those kidnapped by Israel include Nobel peace laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.

So far we have not been able to contact any of our people, but we do have a team of attorneys working for their immediate and unconditional release. Please help us. Please contact your local newspapers and TV stations, government officials and embassies. Please call the numbers below and demand that Israel free the 21 innocent people kidnapped today, as well as the over 11,000 Palestinian political prisoners currently held in Israeli jails. They all need your help.

Appel urgent de Free gaza, la marine de guerre israélienne menace de tirer sur le bateau. Les organisateurs demandent une intervention rapide et nombreuse.

freegaza

Voir sur notre site:
france-palestine

Update on kidnapped passengers, impounded boat, and the right for EVERYONE to see an attorney

Journalists' House
12 CyBC (RIK) Avenue
Aglantzia, Nicosia 2120, Cyprus

Greta Berlin (English)
tel: +357 99 28 41 02/ friends@freegaza

Ramzi Kysia (English)
Tel: + 357 99 08 17 67 rrkysia@yahoo

Caoimhe Butterly (Arabic/English/Spanish):
tel: +357 99 80 96 37 / sahara78@hotmail

Les forces navales israéliennes ont arraisonné et pris le contrôle d'un bateau à destination de la bande de Gaza, et ont remorqué les passagers, l'équipage et la cargaison au port d'Ashdod en territoire israélien, ce mardi après-midi.

mercredi 1er juillet 2009 - 07h:04
Ma’an News Agency

Le bateau du Free Gaza Movement, le SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, au moment où il a quitté Chypre - Photo : Free Gaza

Les militants à bord du navire, baptisé l'Esprit de l'Humanité (Spirit of Humanity) ont dénoncé cette action comme une claire violation du droit international. Une fois à Ashdod, ils seront « livrés aux autorités », et les marchandises seront « sous réserve d'autorisation » (de qui ? de quoi ? - N.d.T), acheminées vers Gaza, a prétendu la marine israélienne dans un communiqué.

Le gouvernement palestinien dirigé par Ismaïl Haniyeh à Gaza, a affirmé que les autorités de l'occupation portent la responsabilité totale de la vie des solidaires étrangers sur le bateau "âme de l'humanité".

Le porte-parole du gouvernement, Tahar Al Nounou, a condamné, le mardi soir 30/6, dans une déclaration spéciale au centre palestinien d'information, les attaques sionistes contre le bateau qui transporte 20 solidaires étrangers et qui se trouve près des plages de la Bande de Gaza.

Publié le 30-06-2009

Où est Obama ? Où sont nos dirigeants qui montent si rapidement au créneau quand il s'agit de dénoncer l'Iran ou la burqa, mais qui se fichent royalement de toutes les violations des droits de l'homme et du droit humanitaire par Israël ? Empêcher une population étranglée d'accueillir un bateau qui contient des jouets pour enfants, du matériel médical et du ciment pour reconstruire les maisons démolies par les bombardements israéliens, quelle belle leçon de démocratie !

L'armée israélienne a attaqué le bateau "The Spirit of Humanity" à 23 miles des côtes de Gaza, cet après-midi, kidnappant les 21 passagers de 11 pays différents à bord, les conduisant de force en israël, et confisquant les médicaments, les jouets et les oliviers transportés par le bateau.