[ 19/07/2011 - 05:50 PM ] DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- Hamas has strongly condemned ”the international piracy” against the pro-Palestinian activists on board the French Dignite – Al-Karama boat, which set out to challenge Israel's siege of the Gaza Strip.
An Israeli army spokesperson has announced that Israeli naval forces intercepted the yacht on Tuesday as it neared the Gaza coast.
The force claimed the boat had weapons on board, which the passengers have denied altogether.
Israeli Radio said the interception took place without incidents reported.
Hamas said in a statement that ensued: ”The Zionist occupier's continuance in preventing the supporters and humanitarian aid from arriving to the besieged Gaza Strip and its attacks on them will not stop the solidarity campaigns with the Palestinian people, but will increase the determination and work until the siege and injustice on our people in occupied Palestine is lifted”.
Hamas emphasized the need for continued siege-busting campaigns and called on human rights groups not to surrender to Israeli pressure and to help expose Israel's practices and prosecute its leaders in the international courts.
Dr. Ahmed Bahar, the deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, also condemned the attack, adding that the Israeli government was responsible for the safety of the Dignite's 17 passengers, who were taken to the Israeli Ashdod port and detained.
He added that the act contravened the most basic human rights principles and international law.
Discussing the next step to be taken, Bahar called on Arab and Muslim organizations to lead a rights movement in facing Israel's acts by filing legal complaints with all international courts.
In a separate statement, the popular committee against the siege on Gaza blamed world silence for Israel's continued attacks on pro-Palestinian activists who come from abroad.
Another statement by Hamas leader Ismail Radwan calls the boat takeover a war crime.
Radwan called on the international community to act urgently to preserve the safety of the pro-Palestinian activists who were on board and allow the Dignite to be released to the Gaza Strip.
Government in Gaza calls Israel's interception of Dignity an act of 'piracy'
Israeli navy encircles “Dignity” at seaGAZA, (PIC)-- Three Israeli navy ships are encircling the French boat “Dignity” and blocking it from continuing its sail to the Gaza Strip on a humanitarian mission, press reports said on Tuesday.
Al-Jazeera TV channel correspondent Ayash Daraji, on board the boat, said that the Israeli navy was besieging the boat only 70 kilometers away from Gaza, claiming that it carried weapons, a matter which was categorically denied by the solidarity activists on board.
The Israeli officers are contacting the boat’s crewmembers and telling them they should go back from where they came from, yet Daraji said that all on board were determined to go ahead in the voyage to Gaza.
Organizers of the humanitarian mission said on Monday that the boat was approaching Gaza and would dock there within the coming 24 hours.
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| Israeli warships have surrounded the French ship that is on its way to the besieged Gaza strip. According to AFP, French ship, Al-Karama (Dignity), has been surrounded since morning by at least three Zionist navy ships while still in international waters, around 40 miles off Gaza’s shore, cutting off any possible communication with the humanitarian activists on board. The Israeli side confirmed the incident in a statement it issued, reassuring that "the Israeli navy has notified Al-Karama that it is on its way to an area under a maritime security blockade off the coast of Gaza, and reminded them that any supplies they have on board may be legally transferred.”  AFP quoted activists spokesperson in Paris Julien Rivoire as saying: “We call on the French government to take its responsibilities and to protect the passengers, and to call on Israel not resort to violence." Before losing connection with the activists on board, they were sending updated messages via internet, informing about the situation. One message read in French: “We're cleaning ourselves up a little bit before arriving. Morale here is like the sky and sea - very good.” Zionist Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon warned Monday of intercepting the ship as it is breaching the international maritime law. However, AFP quoted a French activist on board, Thomas Sommer-Houdeville, as saying that “this ship was only carrying a symbolic message of peace and hope and love, and Israel had no reason to intercept it… we don't have a plan, but we have a peaceful humanitarian mission.” “We are a peaceful boat flying a French flag," the activist added. |
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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