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FREE GAZA & LIBERTY
ARRIVE IN CYPRUS WITH PALESTINIANS ON-BOARD
08-29-08
FREE GAZA MOVEMENT announces the arrival at 20:30
(10:30am PDT), Friday 29 August, 2008 of the FREE GAZA
and LIBERTY vessels, in Larnaca Harbour, returning from
Gaza, and a successful end to this first of such
missions.
The historic return voyage represents the first time
ever that Palestinians have been able freely to enter
and leave their country. The Free Gaza Movement will
mark this historic moment with a reception at Larnaca
Harbour , as will Palestinians in Gaza , as both boats
return safely from Gazan and international waters after
a calm and uneventful crossing.
Organiser Paul Larudee:
“This endeavour has
been a huge success, far more significant and
wide-reaching than anyone ever dreamt it could be. It
has had obvious beneficial effects on the Palestinian
people, but also on Israel . In fairness, credit must go
where credit is due -- despite threats or obstacles, a
responsible decision was made by Israeli authorities not
to interfere with our mission and this is a model for
the future."
As reported by the world press, news has travelled
worldwide of the Free Gaza Movement. Supportive messages
have come in, including from UN Special Rapporteur on
human rights in the OPT, Richard Falk, who wrote:
“The landing of two
wooden boats carrying 46 human rights activists in Gaza
is an important symbolic victory. This non-violent
initiative of the Free Gaza Movement focused attention
around the world on the stark reality that the 1.5
million residents of Gaza have endured a punitive siege
for more than a year. This siege is a form of collective
punishment that constitutes a massive violation of
Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The siege,
the coastal blockade, and overflights by Israeli
aircraft all bear witness to the fact that despite
Israel’s claimed ‘disengagement’ in 2005, these
realities on the ground establish that Gaza remains
under Israeli occupation, and as a result Israel remains
legally responsible for protecting the human rights of
its civilian population. By severely restricting the
entry of food, fuel, and medicine the economic and
social rights of the people of Gaza have been
systematically violated. There is widespread deafness
among the people of Gaza that is blamed on the frequent
sonic booms produced by over-flying Israeli military
aircraft. For this reason the peace boats brought 200
hearing aids to Gaza.”
Mr. Falk strongly urged the international community to
take action to uphold human rights in the Gaza Strip.
“Above all, what is
being tested is whether the imaginative engagement of
dedicated private citizens can influence the struggle of
a beleaguered people for basic human rights, and whether
their courage and commitment can awaken the conscience
of humanity to an unfolding tragedy.”
Or, in the words of Palestinian voyager, Musheir
El-Farra, originally born and raised in Khan Younis in
Gaza but currently living in Sheffield , UK :
“For the first time
in my life, I went to Gaza without being humiliated,
without having to ask Israel for permission. We did it.
We finally did it. And now others must join us and do it
as well.”
http://www.freegaza.org/index.php?module=latest_news&id=7a2bc0f3beb1231d4e8c3c7cae336173&offset
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