Delegation of UK students prevented from reaching Gaza on board of HOPE FLEET
www.actionpalestine.org/from-palestine/free-gaza-boat…kers-kidnapped/
Today Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, and abducted 21 human rights workers from 11 countries. A delegation of UK students are amongst those abducted. The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.
Cynthia McKinney, a former U.S. Congresswoman and presidential candidate, who is amongst those abducted, said “This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip. President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that’s exactly what we tried to do. We’re asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey.”
The student delegation, coordinated by Action Palestine, a UK umbrella organization which facilitates grass roots coordination between Palestine groups and campaigning on campuses, was to meet with students and staff to explore ways of improving solidarity links with UK Universities and Student Unions. The delegation aimed to highlight difficulties and educational needs due to the blockade and amongst the devastation of the Israeli bombing of December and January.
Schools, Colleges and Universities in Gaza were severely damaged during the bombing and many students were killed or injured. Other vital educational supplies are being deprived – according to UNWRA, Israel’s continuing blockade is also preventing ink, paper and other learning materials such as crayons and colouring books from entering into Gaza.
The delegation was to visit Al-Aqsa University, the Islamic University, the Al Azhar University and the Al Quds University. The information and networking gained from the delegation’s meetings with Universities in Gaza would have helped strengthen international student and education focused solidarity campaigns, in particular the academic boycott.
Gaza’s 1.5 million inhabitants were enduring their worst conditions for over 40 years according to aid agencies last year, with 80 percent of the population dependent on food aid, due directly to the Israeli blockade depriving normal food, infrastructure and medical supplies. As life became increasingly hard with death and malnutrition, Israel then launched an air and ground attack in late December and early January that killed a further 1300 people, over 300 children. Many thousands more were injured and the vast majority of the casualties were civilians. Over 4,100 houses were destroyed and a further 17,000 seriously damaged. 50,000 people are now homeless, tens of thousands lacking power, water and sanitation, as well as food and medical
treatment.
The Free Gaza Movement, a human rights group, sent two boats to Gaza in August 2008. These were the first international boats to land in the port in 41 years. Since August, four more voyages were successful, taking Parliamentarians, human rights workers, and other dignitaries
to witness the effects of Israel’s draconian policies on the civilians of Gaza. On December 30, their boat, the DIGNITY was rammed three times while 90 nautical miles out, in international waters, on its way to deliver emergency medical supplies to the people of Gaza, while
they were under the infamous attack by Israel. Contact them at www.freegaza.org.
One of our delegates, Adie Mormech features on the following video about the preparation for
the boat: www.youtube.com/gazafriends
For more information please contact: Naji 00972599791585
