Israeli Government attacks humanitarian ship of "Free Gaza" .
I got this from my "feed" on "Facebook". I want to share it with everyone.
"Yvonne Ridley at 3:43pm December 30
This is my letter to MP Mark Field
Dear Mark Field,
I am writing to you as a matter of urgency as a founding member of theFree Gaza Movement which was praised by the UN President after 40 peace activists sailed two boats in to Gaza on a peace mission on August 23 2008.
Since then several boats from the Free Gaza Movement have sailed into Gaza carrying aid and medical specialists as well as politicians from across Europe.
This morning, Tuesday, December 30, at 5 a.m., several Israeli gunboats intercepted the latest FGM boat, Dignity, as she was heading on a mission of mercy to Gaza. One gunboat rammed into the boat on the port bow side, heavily damaging her.
"Yvonne Ridley at 3:44pm December 30
The reports from passengers and
journalists on board say that she is taking on water and appears to
have engine problems. When attacked, the Dignity was clearly in
international waters, 90 miles off the coast of Gaza.
The gunboats also fired their machine guns into the water in an attempt
to stop the mercy ship from getting to Gaza.
"As the boat limps toward Lebanon, passengers have been in contact with
the Lebanese government, who say the captain has permission to dock and
are willing to lend assistance if needed. Cyprus sea rescue has also
been in touch, and offered assistance as well. The Dignity clearly
flies the flag of Gibraltar, is piloted by an English captain and has a
passenger manifest that includes Representative Cynthia McKinney from
the U.S. The Israeli Government Press Office director was faxed the
passenger list and press release last night, after Dignity set sail.
"Yvonne Ridley at 3:45pm December 30
On board the boat are doctors traveling to this impoverished slice of
the Mediterranean to provide badly-needed relief at the hospitals
there. The crew and passengers were also hoping to take wounded out
for treatment, since the hospitals are totally unable to cope. In
addition, the Dignity was carrying 3 tons of medical supplies at the
request of the doctors in Gaza.
"The three physicians on board who were sailing to Gaza are: Dr. Halpin
(UK), an experienced orthopaedic surgeon, medical professor, and ship's
captain. He has organized humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza on
several occasions with the Dove and Dolphin. He is traveling to Gaza to
volunteer in hospitals and clinics as is Dr. Mohamed Issa (Germany), a
pediatric surgeon from Germany. Dr. Elena Theoharous, MP (Cyprus), is a
surgeon and Member of the Cypriot Parliament. She is traveling to Gaza
to assess the ongoing conflict, assist with humanitarian relief
efforts, and volunteer in hospitals.
"Yvonne Ridley at 3:46pm December 30
Yet Israel thumbs its nose in the face of maritime law by attacking a
human rights boat in international waters, thereby putting all of these
human rights observers at risk. At no time was the Dignity ever close
to Israeli waters. They clearly identified themselves in advance of the
attack, which was willful and criminal.
"At the time of wrting to you the Dignity is still in international
waters, 40 miles off Haifa. Everybody on board is safe at the moment as
the boat slowly makes its way to safety in Lebanon.
"I want to know what you can do about this and what you intend to do
about this? There is clearly no leadership coming out of the Foreign
office or Downing Street at the moment.
"I look forward to an urgent response.
Yours sincerely,
This is my letter to MP Mark Field
Dear Mark Field,
I am writing to you as a matter of urgency as a founding member of theFree Gaza Movement which was praised by the UN President after 40 peace activists sailed two boats in to Gaza on a peace mission on August 23 2008.
Since then several boats from the Free Gaza Movement have sailed into Gaza carrying aid and medical specialists as well as politicians from across Europe.
This morning, Tuesday, December 30, at 5 a.m., several Israeli gunboats intercepted the latest FGM boat, Dignity, as she was heading on a mission of mercy to Gaza. One gunboat rammed into the boat on the port bow side, heavily damaging her.
"Yvonne Ridley at 3:44pm December 30
The reports from passengers and
journalists on board say that she is taking on water and appears to
have engine problems. When attacked, the Dignity was clearly in
international waters, 90 miles off the coast of Gaza.
The gunboats also fired their machine guns into the water in an attempt
to stop the mercy ship from getting to Gaza.
"As the boat limps toward Lebanon, passengers have been in contact with
the Lebanese government, who say the captain has permission to dock and
are willing to lend assistance if needed. Cyprus sea rescue has also
been in touch, and offered assistance as well. The Dignity clearly
flies the flag of Gibraltar, is piloted by an English captain and has a
passenger manifest that includes Representative Cynthia McKinney from
the U.S. The Israeli Government Press Office director was faxed the
passenger list and press release last night, after Dignity set sail.
"Yvonne Ridley at 3:45pm December 30
On board the boat are doctors traveling to this impoverished slice of
the Mediterranean to provide badly-needed relief at the hospitals
there. The crew and passengers were also hoping to take wounded out
for treatment, since the hospitals are totally unable to cope. In
addition, the Dignity was carrying 3 tons of medical supplies at the
request of the doctors in Gaza.
"The three physicians on board who were sailing to Gaza are: Dr. Halpin
(UK), an experienced orthopaedic surgeon, medical professor, and ship's
captain. He has organized humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza on
several occasions with the Dove and Dolphin. He is traveling to Gaza to
volunteer in hospitals and clinics as is Dr. Mohamed Issa (Germany), a
pediatric surgeon from Germany. Dr. Elena Theoharous, MP (Cyprus), is a
surgeon and Member of the Cypriot Parliament. She is traveling to Gaza
to assess the ongoing conflict, assist with humanitarian relief
efforts, and volunteer in hospitals.
"Yvonne Ridley at 3:46pm December 30
Yet Israel thumbs its nose in the face of maritime law by attacking a
human rights boat in international waters, thereby putting all of these
human rights observers at risk. At no time was the Dignity ever close
to Israeli waters. They clearly identified themselves in advance of the
attack, which was willful and criminal.
"At the time of wrting to you the Dignity is still in international
waters, 40 miles off Haifa. Everybody on board is safe at the moment as
the boat slowly makes its way to safety in Lebanon.
"I want to know what you can do about this and what you intend to do
about this? There is clearly no leadership coming out of the Foreign
office or Downing Street at the moment.
"I look forward to an urgent response.
Yours sincerely,
