Head of the Israeli Navy, Eliezer Marom, voiced on Sunday a strict warning targeting the organizers of the Freedom Flotilla, dubbed in his speech as the “Hate Flotilla” that will be heading to the besieged Gaza Strip later this month to deliver humanitarian supplies. Flotilla organizers affirmed the peaceful nature of the flotilla and their determination to proceed to Gaza. (Freedom Flotilla 2 Press Released Attached To This Article)Marom said that the navy had previously prevented what he called the “Hate Flotilla” from reaching Gaza, and “will prevent any flotilla that attempts to clash with our soldiers and create a media provocation to delegitimize Israel”.
His statements came during a graduation ceremony for navy divers held at the naval base in Haifa coastal city. He called on different countries to “do their best to stop the provocative flotilla”, according to Marom.
“This flotilla will grant Hamas unlimited supplies of weapons to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel”, Marom claimed.
On Friday, Turkish organizers of the flotilla announced that the “Mavi Marmara” ship will not be part of the new flotilla heading to Gaza.
The ship was attacked and boarded by the Israeli army on May 2010 before it was towed to Ashdod Port. Nine Turkish activists were killed by military fire and dozens were injured.
On June 17, The Freedom Flotilla issued a statement affirming the peaceful nature of the trip that aims at delivering humanitarian supplies and breaking the illegal Israeli siege on Gaza.
Freedom Flotilla Press Release
FREEDOM FLOTILLA II-STAY HUMAN WILL SAIL TO GAZA!
PRESS RELEASE
Istanbul, 17.6.2011
This is a rainbow coalition of human rights defenders. It does not only concern Muslims, but everyone, be they Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, secular or whatever. This is world citizenry united,
Our destination is Gaza. Our means are non-violent. Our goal is to lift the illegal siege, completely and permanently and freedom for the Palestinian people.
With national campaigns in over 20 countries and around 10 ships being readied, Freedom Flotilla 2—Stay Human is on track to sail to Gaza to break the illegal Israeli blockade. The Turkish aid organization IHH remains part of the flotilla, even though the Mavi Marmara is unable to sail.
There is no doubt about the need for the flotilla.
Israel’s policy of collective punishment remains intact.
The so-called “established channels” for delivering aid to Gaza, referred to by global leaders seeking to stop our mission, do not allow for the needs of the people of Gaza to be met due to Israel’s many restrictions, nor do they permit freedom for Palestinians.
Nowhere else in the world are people required by the international community to accept humanitarian aid instead of freedom. And even that humanitarian aid is not forthcoming, owing to Israel’s blockade. This month, the health authority in Gaza proclaimed a state of emergency due to an acute shortage of vital medicines.
Approximately 178 types of medications and 123 types of medical supplies have run out, and an additional 69 types of medications and 70 types of medical supplies are expected to run out within the next three months.
A few days ago, 46 Palestinian civil society organizations announced their full support of the Freedom Flotilla 2.
The fact that the Mavi Marmara will not participate in the FF2, means that the misinformation put forward by the Israeli government and its supporters that the flotilla is a “Turkish” and “Islamist” effort will be completely exposed. Hundreds of people from around the world are sailing to break the blockade on Gaza.
Freedom Flotilla 2 will include more ships than the first flotilla, even without the Mavi Marmara. Moreover, the coalition consists of significantly more member organizations this time, from all over Europe, North America, the Middle East and North Africa.
Our destination is Gaza. Our means are non-violent. Our goal is to lift the illegal siege, completely and permanently.
The International Coalition of Freedom Flotilla II
