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Flotilla activists steadfast on Gaza mission

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Few confirmed reports have been made public around the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla 3 as a suspected sabotage on one of the ships is being investigated.  South African activist, Dr Clint De Bruyns who will join the flotilla could not divulge his current location at the time of his interview on Friday morning but did explain that everything is moving at a snail’s pace, pending the investigation.

“The report around the sabotage was made public prematurely. However, Israel has been hard at work this week, trying to de-legitimise the Flotilla Coalition. We have received reports on potential tampering with equipment. The issue of security is extremely important, the security of activists and sailors but also of the vessel,” said De Bruyn, a member of the Palestine Solidarity Forum (PSF) in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Meanwhile, activists remain focused and determined as they ready themselves for all possible outcomes as they trek to the besieged Gaza Strip. De Bruyn stressed that activists know and understand what the purpose of the mission is.

“We have been quite aloof regarding the finer details that others are focusing on in terms of security and boats. We are ready and will do whatever we need to do when we need to do it. There is a sense of contentment amongst the activists,” De Bruyn continued.

In light of this, De Bruyn told VOC News they hope to sail straight into Gaza and break the siege. He says activists have already prepared themselves for the “guaranteed reality” of being confronted by the Israeli navy force and asked to turn around, which De Bruyn explained would result in a five day round trip sail.

However, the worse-case scenario, according to the South African activist, would result in the Israeli regime arresting them and charging for entering the country illegally, detained interrogated and then deported.

“We just take each moment as it comes. Right now it is quite calm amongst us. Here is an international community of activist. While we all don’t know each other personally, there is a common understanding and respect we share for our plight. The least we can do right now is to play the most active role in ending this brutal occupation by Israel and we hope this flotilla contributes to that.”

Back home, the Palestine Solidarity Association (PSA) along with the Media Review Network (MRN) have both pledged their support to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

In a joint statement, the PSA and MRN called on the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) to insist that the Israeli government and its armed forces allow the Freedom Flotilla and its unarmed, civilian passengers a safe passage into Gaza.

The PSA’s Nazim Adam told VOC News that the objective is to see a thoroughfare established at the Gaza port to allow freedom of movement.

“The Freedom Flotilla is aimed at one thing, that is to open the port of Gaza so that there can be free movements of humans and trade like all human beings deserved. We are appealing to all the people around the world to support this campaign. The UN recently reported of the horrific suffering the people of Gaza has had to endure over the years, particularly most recently during the 2014 summer attacks. The siege being held by Israel and Egypt needs to end,” Adam concluded. VOC (Raeesah Isaacs)


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