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SA activists ready for Gaza flotilla

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Despite warnings from Israeli authorities that it will seek to intercept a Gaza-bound fleet harbouring pro-Palestinian activists, the Freedom Flotilla III has now set sail for the besieged coastal strip. The initiative is the third in a series of attempts to break through an Israeli enforced blockade on Gaza, in a bid to deliver aid to region.

Prior attempts have faced stern resistance on the part of Israel. In 2011 the campaign ended in tragic circumstances, when nine activists were killed on board the Marvi Marmara vessel by Israeli naval forces.

The plight of the Palestinian people has long been at the heart of South African and the local Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) has sought to collaborate on the venture. The country will also have a representative as part of the flotilla, in the form of activist and University of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN) academic, Clint De Bruyns, who is a member of the Palestine Solidarity Forum in KZN.

Whilst reluctant to divulge too much information on the current progress of the Freedom Flotilla, PSA representative, Ismail Moola said proceedings were now at an advanced stage.

“We know that our enemies are monitoring our movements, and we would prefer to keep this as secretive as possible. However I can tell you that things are going according to plan,” he said.

The campaign is headed by an organisation called the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and 14 founding members of the FFC are amongst those on board the three-vessel flotilla. They are joined by activists and representatives from around 22 countries.

Amongst the more notable figures is Israeli Knesset member, Dr. Basel Ghattas who serves as part of the Joint Arab List alliance. According to Moola, the politician recently wrote an open letter to Benjamin Netanyahu, urging the Israeli PM not to respond to the flotilla with military or naval force. He noted the letter had stirred a high level of media interest towards their cause, and had also attracted a “very negative” response from the Israeli leader.

“Obviously the other Zionists within the Knesset have (also) come out very strongly against him and his views. The idea, according to Netanyahu is that there is no need for a flotilla, and that Israel is the only active member that is involved in the reconstruction of Gaza,” he said, adding that Netanyahu had suggested whilst foreign aid to Gaza was welcome, it need pass through Israeli territory first.

However he was adamant the flotilla would sail through international waters to get to the Gaza port, and they were in no way eager to pass through Israel. This also eradicated any legal grounds the Zionist-state could have to try and stop them.

With the Marvi Marmara incident is still fresh in the minds of many, Moola further suggested that Israel would have to tread carefully in terms of how they dealt with the new flotilla, and any incidents could put the state further on the back foot in terms of international recognition. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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