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Fifteen Palestinian fishermen and three internationals kidnapped by Israeli Navy

 
 19-11-2008

Fifteen Palestinian fishermen and 3 international Human Rights Observers (HRO's) were surrounded by the Israeli Navy and taken from their small fishing boats 7 miles off the coast of Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip.

The fishermen and the HRO's were transferred from 3 separate boats to the Israeli warships. Other Palestinian fishermen reported that the 3 boats were seen being taken north by the Israeli Navy.

The Human Rights Observers are Andrew Muncie, a Scottish British citizen, Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian citizen, and Darlene Wallach, an American citizen. They have been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) since they entered Gaza on ships with the first Free Gaza Movement voyage on the 23rd August 2008.

All internationals have previous experience working with the ISM in the West Bank.

Fellow activists have been unable to establish contact with the HRO's or with the fishermen since they were abducted.

Since their arrival, the ISM volunteers have been accompanying Palestinian fishermen who are regularly attacked by Israeli navy vessels from as little as 3km from shore. They have filmed Israeli forces using live ammunition, shells and water cannons against unarmed fishermen and have documented the attacks on UTube and other video sites.