Greek coast guard are now on board the Tahrir attempting to arrest
Sandra Rush, Jewish Canadian member of the Canada boat to Gaza Steering
Committee, who is refusing to surrender boat's registration papers.
Efforts to stop Freedom Flotilla 2 - Stay Human from sailing have
included diplomatic pressure and manipulation, economic blackmail,
bureaucratic obstacles, baseless and slanderous allegations against the
flotilla and the delegates, and sabotage of at least two vessels.
"The world watched as an intensive campaign to prevent the Tahrir
and the entire Freedom flotilla II from sailing was underway. We have
been unjustly and duplicitously treated." said Irene MacInnes of the
Tahrir organizing committee.
"The government of Israel, shamefully with
the tacit support of the Harper government, is doing everything in its
power to maintain the blockade. Today, as a result of the concerted
efforts of the 4th largest military power in the world and its backers,
we have been prevented from sailing to Gaza. Yet we will persevere in
our attempts till the blockade is lifted."
"Israel has in effect extended the illegal blockade of Gaza to Greek
ports, using the Greece's economic difficulties to influence the
government's position", said David Heap of the organizing committee.
"We remain absolutely clear that the Canadian Boat to Gaza has not
been, is not, and has no intention of, breaking any laws. It is the
blockade of Gaza that is illegal under international law. We have a
legal and moral obligation to challenge the blockade, given the failure
of the international community to act", said Dylan Penner of the
organizing committee. "This is why we must continue our attempts to sail
to Gaza: to challenge the illegal and immoral blockade and to equally
challenge the Canadian federal government's support for it."
Meanwhile the US boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, is at a standoff
with the Greek Navy boats, refusing orders to return to shore.
