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Activists sail from Cyprus toward besieged Gaza
 LARNACA, Cyprus: Twenty-one activists from 11 countries set sail from Cyprus Monday to the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli blockade on the impoverished Hamas-ruled territory. The US-based Free Gaza movement said it is carrying a "symbolic" cargo of humanitarian aid to pressure governments and international relief groups to do more to rebuild Gaza, which was devastated by an Israeli war on Hamas this year. "We are sending 20 symbolic kits to families to show the effects of the siege which deprives people of electricity, water, cement and other basic amenities," Free Gaza organizer Caoimhe Butterly told AFP. "The $4 billion pledged by donors for reconstruction is not being translated on the ground and the people of Gaza are living in humiliating conditions and the international community must act." Pro-Palestinian activists have made five successful missions to Gaza from Cyprus since August 2008 - but boats have been turned back twice by Israeli forces. The last attempt in mid-January was intercepted and forced back. "We are hoping the Israeli Army and Navy will realize this is a humanitarian mission and allow us through," said Butterly. The activists - including Nobel peace prize winner Mairead Maguire and former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney - are expected to reach Gaza on Tuesday following a 30-hour trip. Israel has maintained a strict blockade on the Palestinian territory for the past three years. "The people living there find themselves unable to rebuild their lives and are sliding ever deeper into despair™," a new report by the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Monday. Posted by: Fred 2009-06-30 |
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