MONTREAL, QUEBEC- May 30, 2011 - The
Canadian Boat to Gaza (CBG) is dismissing Foreign Affairs Minister Baird's
misinformation about the upcoming flotilla, and is promising to sail with
the Freedom Flotilla II next month. John Baird, newly appointed Canadian
Foreign Affairs Minister, has taken to discouraging Canadians from
participating in the upcoming flotilla, which aims to break the siege of
Gaza.
CBG views Minister Baird's statement as an attempt to abdicate the
Canadian Government's obligation to ensure the safety of the Canadians who
will be on board the flotilla, including the Canadian boat Tahrir and to
justify, in advance, any crimes Israel may commit against peaceful unarmed
civilians from Canada and all over the world, as it did a year ago
tomorrow.
"We are sailing to change the unjust and illegal situation Israel imposes
on Gaza and to challenge the Canadian government's support for those
policies," says Wendy Goldsmith, CBG steering committee member.
"Baird has characterized the Freedom Flotillas as "provocative". How is
aid provocative? How is standing up for international law and social justice
provocative? How is it provocative to work for the freedom of the 1.5
million Palestinians in the open air prison of Gaza?" asks Ehab Lotayef, a
CBG spokesperson.
"What's provocative is the government of Israel's impunity and systemic
violations of international law," says Lotayef. "What's provocative is the
Harper government acting as an apologist for all of Israel's actions, even
when they are illegal and immoral, like the siege of Gaza. CBG and the
flotilla are nonviolent direct responses to Israeli provocation."
In his statement Mr. Baird mentions Israel's right to prevent the
smuggling of weapons. "What is he trying to imply?" asks Goldsmith. "If Mr.
Baird has any doubts about our mission or what we will carry, we invite him
or any Canadian body to inspect the Canadian Boat to Gaza." She added.
"We would like to remind Mr. Baird that the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC), one of the official channels to send aid to Gaza, has
itself said: "all States have an obligation to allow and facilitate rapid
and unimpeded passage of all relief consignments, equipment and personnel
[into Gaza]," not just those passing through channels approved by the
government of Israel." [1] said Lotayef.
CBG is a civilian to civilian initiative funded by citizens and civil
society organizations and did not benefit from any government funding or
taxpayers funds as some misinformed media reports mentioned lately.
The full list of endorsements and supporting individuals and organizations
is online at www.tahrir.ca.
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(1) http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/update/palestine-update-140610.htm
