ALWAYS ON TOP ( Scroll down for recent postings )
May 30, 2010
12 nautical miles from the coast !
Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Washington, D.C., September 28, 1995
Article XIV
Security along the Coastline to the Sea of Gaza1. Maritime Activity Zones
a. Extent of Maritime Activity Zones
The sea off the coast of the Gaza Strip will be divided into three Maritime Activity Zones, K, L, and M as shown on map No. 8 attached to this Agreement, and as detailed below:
(1) Zones K and M
(a) Zone K extends to 20 nautical miles in the sea from the coast in the northern part of the sea of Gaza and 1.5 nautical miles wide southwards.
(b) Zone M extends to 20 nautical miles in the sea from the coast, and one
(1) nautical mile wide from the Egyptian waters.
(c) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, Zones K and M will be closed areas, in which navigation will be restricted to activity of the Israel Navy.
(2) Zone L
(a) Zone L bounded to the south by Zone M and to the north by Zone K extends 20 nautical miles into the sea from the coast.
(b) Zone L will be open for fishing, recreation and economic activities, in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) Fishing boats will not exit Zone L into the open sea and may have engines of up to a limit of 25 HP for outboard motors and up to a maximum speed of 18 knots for inboard motors. Four months after the signing of this Agreement the Maritime Coordination and Cooperation Center (hereinafter "the MC"), as referred to in paragraph 3 below, will consider raising the limit for outboard motors up to 40 hp. in accordance with the types of the boats. The boats will neither carry weapons nor ammunition nor will they fish with the use of explosives.
(ii) Recreational boats will be permitted to sail up to a distance of 6 nautical miles from the coast unless, in special cases, otherwise agreed within the Maritime Coordination and Cooperation Center as referred to in paragraph 3 below. Recreational boats may have engines up to a limit of 10 horsepower. Marine motor bikes and water jets will neither be introduced into Zone L nor be operated therein.
(iii) Yachts may sail up to a distance of 6 nautical miles from the coast at a maximum speed of 15 knots.
(iv) Foreign vessels entering Zone L will not approach closer than 12 nautical miles from the coast except as regards activities covered in paragraph 4 below.
b. General Rules of the Maritime Activity Zones
(1) The aforementioned fishing boats and recreational boats and their skippers sailing in Zone L shall carry licenses issued by the Council, the format and standards of which will be coordinated through the JSC.
(2) The boats shall have identification markings determined by the Council. The Israeli authorities will be notified through the JSC of these identification markings.
(3) Residents of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip fishing in Zone L will carry Israeli licenses and vessel permits.
(4) As part of Israel's responsibilities for safety and security within the three Maritime Activity Zones, Israel Navy vessels may sail throughout these zones, as necessary and without limitations, and may take any measures necessary against vessels suspected of being used for terrorist activities or for smuggling arms, ammunition, drugs, goods, of for any other illegal activity. The Palestinian Police will be notified of such actions, and the ensuing procedures will be coordinated through the MC.
2. The Palestinian Coastal Police
a. The Palestinian Coastal police (hereinafter the "PCP") may function in Zone L, up to a distance of 6 nautical miles from the coast. In special cases, it may also exercise control over Palestinian fishing boats fishing in Zone L in an additional area of 6 nautical miles, up to the limit of 12 nautical miles from the coastline, after clearance and coordination through the MC.
b. The PCP shall have up to 10 boats, with a displacement of up to 50 tons and maximum speed of up to 25 knots
c. The boats shall carry weapons of up to a 7.62 mm caliber.
d. Boats of the PCP shall fly a Palestinian flag, have police identification markings and shall operate identification lights.
e. The two sides shall cooperate on all sea matters, including mutual help at sea, and pollution and environmental issues.
f. The boats of the Palestinian Coastal Police will initially use the Gaza Wharf.
g. Boats belonging to Israelis are solely subject to the control, authority and jurisdiction of Israel and the Israel Navy.
3. Maritime Coordination and Cooperation Center
a. The MC shall function as part of the JSC, to coordinate civil maritime activities and coastal police affairs off the coast of the Gaza Strip.
b. The MC shall function within the relevant DCO, and will determine its own rules of procedure.
c. The MC shall function 24 hours a day.
d. The MC shall be staffed by members of the Israel Navy and the PCP, each providing a liaison officer and an assistant liaison officer.
e. A direct radio telephone link (hot line) shall be set up between the Israel Navy vessels and the PCP vessels.
f. The role of the MC is to coordinate:
(1) assistance between the PCP and the Israel Navy as may be necessary to deal with incidents arising at sea;
(2) PCP training involving the use of firearms;
(3) joint activities between the PCP and the Israel Navy when preplanning is operationally necessary;
(4) radio contact between PCP and Israel Navy vessels in the event that "hot line" communication between vessels of the two sides has not been established;
(5) search and rescue operations; and
(6) maritime activities related to an agreed port, when established in the Gaza Strip.
4. Gaza Strip Port
a. Plans for the establishment of a port in the Gaza Strip in accordance with the DOP, its location, and related matters of mutual interest and concern, as well as licenses for vessels and crews sailing on international voyages will be discussed and agreed upon between Israel and the Council taking into consideration the provisions of Article XXX (Passages) of this Agreement. To this end a special committee will be established by the two sides.
b. The Gaza Sea Port Authority referred to in the DOP shall act on behalf of the Council in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
c. Pending construction of a port, arrangements for entry and exit of vessels passengers and goods by sea, as well as licenses for vessels and crews sailing on international voyages in transit to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, shall be through Israeli ports in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations applicable in Israel and in accordance with the provisions of Annex V.
... but we have won on YouTube !...
Letter to a friend
Halo Will,Thanks for your E-mail.___________________________________________________________I had a problem with a Pakistani M/F a couple of months ago, clogging my email box with descriptions of how he is going to dismember and mutilate my body after he slits the throats of my twins in front of my eyes!And then came his last e-mail, with a Qora'anic style prophecy :- " You infidel, will burn in hell ! I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE ! "With the first part of the quote, I had no difficulties! It was the second part that pushed me into action !After a few hours of huffin' & puffin', I managed to find his IP ! He doesn't know that it was ME who visited HIS house first ... nor does his PC !( Because the hard disc was stricken with Alzheimer !...)."___________________________________________ _________________________ ____________________As an Israeli, it is NOT my duty to evaluate the performance and conduct of a democratically elected President of the USA !This cross must be carried by the American people only or to be used for his crucifixion as THEY see fit !But, I see it as my duty and absolute obligation, to protest loudly as I can, when I see that the "rules" have been changed and the 'Cards' reshuffled in the middle of a 'game' called :- "THE RIGHT OF ISRAEL TO EXIST !! It goes without saying, that ANY form of democratically elected governments in both of our countries, MUST recognize each other and find common bases for mutual cooperation !The extrapolation of the a/m relations to Israel Vs " The newly democratically and freely elected HAMAS government in Gaza by its Palestinian people "... is nothing but a joke ! Or even worse, a spit in the face !
Just compare the "Constitutions" !!!I don't know if President Obama is an "Latent Muslim". But, I've more then one reason to believe, that his latest moves in the Middle East and especially his diversion from the traditional American policy by using tactical Flip-Flops, serve nothing but his ambition to justify his wining the Nobel Prize !... Look around ! 'The word is on fire' in any aspect as you wish to see it !This, my friend, is just the aperitif before the main course ! The war ( in this part of the world ) is coming !
Make no mistake about it !I bet my ass, that the Video machines in CNN, BBC, Al-Jazzier, Al-Manar etc, are loaded with Palywood's "Breaking News" Israeli genocide, massacres, disproportionate reaction, war crimes and you add to the list all I've missed ! The machines are ready ! Just push the button !I bet my last $3 bill, that Goldstone's Report about the " New Israeli war crimes #2 " , is already signed! All that is missing is the date!...The Israeli Defense Forces will crush any coalition of its enemies !
The cost in civilian's lives will be high this time ! And Israel shall win ! ( Again!.. )And as usual, The UN will come with a new resolution condemning Israel! The Muslims will add the " Big Satan" to the condemnation in exchange for a statement:-Yes, we lost on the battle fields (again..), but we have won on YouTube !...Alex.
May 29, 2010
May 28, 2010
It is all about olive branches !...
John Lyons, Middle East correspondentFrom: The AustralianMay 21, 2010 12:00AMA HUGE deployment of NATO troops in a future Palestinian state may prove crucial in countering fears it would become a base for attacks on Israel.
In the first new element to arise from the indirect proximity talks that began this week, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are reportedly prepared to consider the proposal.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to a deployment in talks with US special envoy George Mitchell yesterday, and the newspaper Israel Hayom reported that advisers to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not dismissed the idea of foreign troops on the Palestinian side of a new border.
The paper said the proposal was the idea of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who suggested sending 40,000 troops to the Palestinian territories.
The report gained credibility as Israel Hayom is close to Mr Netanyahu, who has a good personal relationship with Mr Sarkozy.
Related Coverage
- Mitchell's shuttle diplomacy offers indirect route The Australian, 13 May 2010
- Clinton backs Israel as mobs riot The Australian, 17 Mar 2010
- Olmert still dreams of peace The Australian, 27 Nov 2009
- Palestinians to ask for UN approval The Australian, 16 Nov 2009
- Syria, Iran deny weapons claim The Australian, 5 Nov 2009
The troops would be intended to guarantee that after an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, Islamic militants would be unable to smuggle weapons into a Palestinian state to attack Israel.After yesterday's meeting between Mr Abbas and Mr Mitchell, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat surprised many with an optimistic assessment that agreement could be reached on a Palestinian state in the four months allowed for the proximity talks.
"We are focusing on final-status issues like borders and security," Mr Erekat said. "We hope that in the next four months we can achieve the two-state solution on the 1967 borders."
The talks are being held amid reminders of the instability to Israel's north and south.
The Haaretz newspaper reported that the Israeli military was putting together a plan for the mass evacuation of civilians in the event of missile attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The paper said Israeli authorities were assuming that in the event of a new war with Lebanon, many rockets would be fired into Israel's north, while rockets with heavier warheads would be aimed at the greater Tel Aviv area.
During the 1991 Gulf War the authorities had a mixed reaction to civilians fleeing their homes, the paper said, but "this time" they would treat any such evacuations as a given.
Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nazrallah has admitted having up to 20,000 missiles along Lebanon's border with Israel, but many analysts believe the total could be closer to 40,000.
Meanwhile, to Israel's south, a Palestinian human rights group has reported that the ruling Hamas party has destroyed 20 homes, claiming they were illegally built. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said: "Twenty families - about 150 people - lost their homes."
The group urged Hamas not to proceed with 180 more West Bank demolitions. Hamas has been a constant critic of Israel's mass demolition of Palestinian-owned homes in East Jerusalem.
Hamas this week executed three convicted murderers by firing squad.
The United Nations and the Middle East
=== "The UNEF left the Sinai in 1967 because it had agreed that if told to leave it would do so. To many observers, the order by Nasser for the UNEF to withdraw meant that trouble was brewing. Israel feared that she would be attacked and before waiting to be attack, Israel launched attacks on Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Iraq. This war lasted only six days and the fighting only stopped when the Security Council ordered a cease-fire. It also drew up Resolution 242 which they believed would restore peace to the Middle East.
" ===Read the story :- http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/united_nations_middle_east.htm
May 25, 2010
Kill a Turk, AND RELAX !...
Red = Me
Turkish planes bomb targets in Northern Iraq: Turkish media
Thu May 20, 1:03 pm ETANKARA (Reuters) ? Turkish military aircraft bombed Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq in an operation said be the largest in one-and-half years, Turkish broadcasters and an army source said on Thursday.
The raid by some 20 planes hit nearly 50 targets i
n northern Iraq's Zab valley area, the NTV television channel said. The state Anatolian news agency also reported an aerial operation against the militants in northern Iraq.
The Anatolian said "a terrorist group" was spotted ap
proaching the Turkish border and the aircraft attacked the group in an operation lasting for an hour.
An official at Turkey's army headquarters in Ankara declined to comment: "We have nothing to say on this at the moment."
A senior army source in the southeast said a second aerial bombardment was continuing against the PKK targets in the evening hours.
The source said Thursday's raid was the largest over the last one-and-half years and targeted the PKK underground shelters in addition to rebel groups in movement. There was no information on possible P
KK casualties.
On May 8, Turkish army forces pursued Kurdish guerrillas into northern Iraq and struck suspected targets with helicopter gunships and drones, killing at least five rebels.
Clashes in Turkey's southeast typically become more frequent in spring and summer due to more favorable weather conditions for the guerrillas.
The Iraqi government has protested against Turkish
land incursions aimed at rooting out the PKK. In February 2008, the military staged a ground incursion with 10,000 troops. It also regularly bombards suspected PKK targets from the air.
The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984 in a conflict that has claimed 40,000 lives.
The rebels, who are mainly based in Iraqi Kurdistan, say they are fighting for greater political rights for Turkey's estimated 15 million Kurds. The United States and the European Union both label the PKK a terrorist organization.
Hasip Thu May 20, 2010 10:24 am PDT
We will not leave one single kurd alive, whe ther in Turkey or outside. If kurds messwith us, the world will find about kurds from history books and museums. We tell everyone, including the jews, greeks, armenians, blacks and any other degenerate peoples to stay away from Turkey...or else..Updates
Hasip replied to Victor's comment : israel has about 800-1000 nuclear warheads. Why ca
Hasip replied to S's comment: Greetings from Turkey, go F yourself you dirty jew
Hasip replied to jeanno's comment: Greetings from Turkey, you filthy jew..go F you
Hasip replied to comment on Report: Jerusalem museum excavation damages bones
You dirty jew, don't let me come visit you where you live. Or better, why don't you visit me in Turkey you dirty murderous jew?? Turkey will be the country who will destroy Israel, wait and see you filth.
Hasip commented on 3 dead as anti-austerity riots erupt in Athens
Turkey CAN invade and clean house in Greece anytime it desires. These greeks are bunch of hooligans, and only Turks can teach these homos how to behave. One small green light from the USA, and Greece will be no more. We're waiting.
- Arabs introduced Islam and culture to Africa.
Hasip commented on Beshir declared winner in landmark Sudan polls
Before that Africans were small tribes who battled
each other and veleived in ghosts and phony religions.
They were like wild animals running around and killing
and pillaging. Even the great Zimbabwe was bu
- Middle East Newsline
- May 24, 2010
ANKARA [MENL] -- The Turkish Air Force has been using an Israeli-origin
long-range unmanned aerial vehicle for strikes on Kurdish insurgents in
Iraq.
Monday, 24 May 2010, 01:25 EDT
Iraqi Kurds condemned air strikes and shellfire by Turkey and IranIraqi Kurds on Friday condemned air strikes and shellfire by Turkey and Iran on Turkish-Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq as violations of Iraqi sovereignty.
Iranian forces shelled border regions and Turkish war planes caused "huge" casualties, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which runs northern Iraq autonomously from Baghdad.
Turkish military sources said Thursday's attacks on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), an outlawed Turkish-Kurdish group largely based in north Iraq, were the biggest such operation in over a year and had killed four guerrillas and wounded more.
"The presidency of the Iraq Kurdistan region condemns these attacks on the border regions, and at the same time considers this a violation and aggression on the sovereignty of the Iraqi state and demands its immediate cessation," the statement said.
KRG President Massoud Barzani had been expected to visit Ankara as relations between Turkey and Iraqi Kurds improve, but Thursday's operations could revive tension between the two.
The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984 to fight for an ethnic homeland for Kurds in southeast Turkey and more than 40,000 people have died in the conflict.
The rebels, who the PKK says number 7,000, have scaled back their demands and now want greater cultural and political rights for Turkey's estimated 14 million ethnic Kurds.
Turkey has called on Barzani to do more to combat the PKK, but Iraqi Kurds are reluctant to risk destabilizing northern Iraq, which has escaped much of the violence seen in the rest of the country since the 2003 U.S. invasion.
Turkish military sources said Thursday's attacks had been aimed at underground shelters and rebels moving on foot in the remote, mountainous part of northern Iraq occupied by the PKK, straddling Iraq's borders with Iran and Turkey.
Turkey and Iran have in recent years shared intelligence and coordinated attacks on the PKK and its Iranian offshoot, the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK).
Gaza aid flotilla to set sail for confrontation with Israel
Israelis promise to stop eight ships carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid, 800 activists and politicians from more than 40 countries
25 May 2010 15.50 BSTA flotilla of eight boats carrying thousands of tonnes of construction materials, medical equipment and other aid is preparing to sail to Gaza in the next few days, setting the scene for a confrontation with Israel which has vowed to prevent the ships breaking the blockade on the Palestinian territory.
Three cargo ships and five passenger vessels plan to meet up in international waters between Cyprus and Gaza Strip before heading towards Gaza City. The Israeli military is expected to stop the flotilla and divert it to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
One of the organisers of the flotilla, which includes three vessels from Turkey, is IHH, a humanitarian aid group supported by Ankara. Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated since the Israelis launched a three-week war on Gaza in 2008-09. An attempt to block the flotilla is likely to increase tensions between the two countries. The Turkish prime minister, Racep Tayyip Erdogan, has called on Israel to avoid this be allowing the boats through.
"This could make relations between Israel and Turkey more complicated," said Yigal Palmor, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman.
On board the ships are 10,000 tonnes of cargo and about 700-800 activists and politicians from more than 40 countries. The cargo includes building materials, medical supplies and paper for schools. One boat is carrying a complete dental surgery including drills. Crayons and chocolate are also on board for Gazan children. The cargo has been paid for by donations.
"We're trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip and tell the world that Israel has no right to starve 1.5 million Palestinians," said Greta Berlin, of the Free Gaza Movement, another organiser of the flotilla. "We are bringing in vitally needed supplies so the people of Gaza can rebuild their infrastructure."
Israel has imposed an economic blockade on Gaza since the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas seized control almost three years ago. Nearly all exports and imports are banned and only a limited supply of food and medical aid is allowed in.
Free Gaza has organised six previous aid boats to the Palestinian territory, the last three of which were blocked from reaching their destination by the Israeli military. This is the biggest attempt to take aid to Gaza. "The previous boats were making a statement ‑ these boats will be making a real impact," said Berlin.
The Israeli navy enforces a 20-nautical mile (23-mile) closure of the sea off Gaza, which has had a devastating impact on its fishing industry. "The boats will not be allowed to enter Gaza territorial waters," said Palmor. "This is a territory in a self-declared state of war with Israel. There can be no uncontrolled transportation in or out of Gaza."
Berlin accused Israel of "sabre-rattling" in the hope that the flotilla plan will be abandoned. "They have no right to control Gaza waters unless they want to admit they are occupying Gaza," she said. "They are the illegal entity, not us." Israel claims it is acting within international law.
The Turkish ferry Mavi Marmara was today docked in Antalya, Turkey, along with two cargo ships, waiting to be joined by boats from Greece. "We will all go together in the next couple of days," said Hosain Orut, of the IHH.
John Ging, head of the main UN agency in Gaza, urged more ships carrying aid to be sent: "We believe that Israel would not stop these vessels because the sea is open, and many human rights organisations have been successful in previous similar steps, and proved that breaking the siege on Gaza is possible."
Earlier this week, a UN report said that three-quarters of the damage caused to Gaza's infrastructure during the three-week military conflict has not been repaired because of the blockade.
Mark Regev, the Israeli prime minister's spokesman, said: "It is strange that human rights activists are acting as apologists for a regime that is brutally repressing human rights. Hamas oppresses women, gays and Christians, has crushed independent media and destroyed all political opposition." He added that 15,000 tonnes of aid was allowed into Gaza every week.
Dozens of boats manned by Israeli citizens took the water at the weekend in protest at the aid flotilla.
The boats
• Four cargo ships
• Four passenger ships
• Coming from Turkey, Greece, Ireland
On board
• 700 to 800 peace activists and MPs from more than 40 countries
• 10,000 tonnes of supplies, including:
• Cement
• Generators
• Water purification equipment
• 20 tonnes of paper for schools
• Prefabricated homes
• $1m (£700,000) of medical equipment, including: CAT scanners' wheelchairs, crutches
• A complete dental surgery, including drills and a chair
• Sports equipment, including footballs and basketballs
• Crayons and pens
• Chocolate
Paid for
• By donations, ranging from $1.39 from an individual in Brunei to €300,000 (£256,000) collected in Malaysia
Color picker/Template
Color picker/Template
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May 24, 2010
'Midnight Rider' said:-
"...we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an ISRAELI and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an ISRAELI , and nothing but an ISRAELI…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an ISRAELI, but something else also, isn’t an ISRAELI at all. We have room for but one flag, the ISRAELI flag. . . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the HEBREW language . . . and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the ISRAELI people."
A zillion !!
If one photo equals one thousand words,Then, how many words, equal one Video ?A zillion !!"I see no solution, only more bloodshed to come."Hamas Execution of Fatah Members in Gaza
May 23, 2010
Viva El Toro !
Julio AparicioYouTubeJulio Aparicio, one of Spain's most famous matadors, was gored in the throat today during a bullfight. The horrific injury has left him in critical condition:
"[The horn] went though the tongue and penetrated the roof of the mouth, fracturing the jawbone," one of the medics who worked on Aparicio told AFP news in Madrid.[UPDATE: After two operations, it appears leading surgeon Maximo Garcia Pedros has saved Aparicio's life. The bull, however, was quickly killed by other matadors.]
The incident took place during the Festival of Saint Isidro, considered to be the most important event in the bullfighting calendar, at the Plaza de Toros las Ventas bullring, which can seat up to 24,000 people.
Spanish bullfighter recovering after throat goring
Spanish bullfighter Julio Aparicio, who was gored in the throat by a bull last week, has left intensive care in a Madrid hospital.
The October 12th Hospital says in a statement Monday that Aparicio's condition is "evolving favorably" and that his prognosis is "less serious."
Aparicio suffered the grotesque goring Friday evening during a bullfight at Madrid's Las Ventas bullring.
The matador lost his balance and fell to the ground and in an instant the bull drove his right horn through Aparicio's throat and out his mouth.
The beast withdrew the horn rapidly and Aparicio managed to run to the side of the ring for help.
Aparicio was initially treated at the ring's emergency medical unit, then transferred to the October 12th Hospital.
In this photo made Friday, May 21, 2010, Spanish matador Julio Aparicio is carried to infirmary after being gored by a bull during a bullfight during the San Isidro Feria at the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid. Aparicio underwent surgery and is out of critical danger.
'Freedom Flotilla'
'Freedom Flotilla' en route to Gaza
Naval convoy to arrive in Strip next weekend with hundreds of activists, over 10,000 tons of products for residents in effort to break blockade
Anat Shalev
Published: 05.22.10, 19:31 / Israel News Three ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists left Turkey on Saturday en route to Gaza's shore, as part of a flotilla organized by the Free Gaza Movement – meant to draw supporters from all over the world to the Strip.
The nine-ship convoy will attempt to dock in Gaza. The project is partly funded by IHH –a Turkish pro-Palestinian organization that had one of its members arrested in Israel recently.The last of three vessels left Istanbul Saturday and was making its way to Greece, where the organizers said a few hundred activists were waiting to board it. The participants will bring with them some 10,000 tons of various products for the residents of the Strip.
One of the ships slated to arrive from Ireland is named after Rachel Corrie, a left-wing activist who was trampled to death by an IDF bulldozer in Rafah. Recently, a Ramallah street was also named after the late activist.
The ship, currently docked in Portugal, is carrying cement – a product that was banned from entering Gaza according to a decision made by Israelas part of its blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory.
In a conversation with Ynet, Free Gaza Movement Chairperson Greta Berlin said that several European parliament members are expected to join the flotilla to Gaza.
Berlin explained that the movement began its activities four years ago, in an effort to draw international attention to what was taking place in the Gaza Strip – so that people will "wake up" and stop the siege.
Berlin added that although the IDF thwarted the last three attempts to reach Gaza by sea, the Israeli authorities were aware of the negative image they were creating, and that this time it would lead to far-reaching diplomatic consequences.