LOC09:49
06:49 GMT
GAZA, March 8 (KUNA) -- The Free Gaza movement and its coalition partners
issued a statement urging governments to take tangible action to protect their
nationals taking part in the next Freedom Flotilla, to head to Gaza Strip in
mid April.
The demand came after a meeting the coalition held in Amsterdam. The
statement issued urged governments of activists taking part in the next
flotilla journey to Gaza to provide some measure of protection against Israeli
attack.
The representatives of the coalition stressed it was "vital to deter
Israelis from launching a criminal attack on the second fleet like they did on
the first."
This was in reference to the flotilla which sailed to Gaza carrying medical
aid and food supplies late May 2010, and was attacked by the Israeli naval
forces.
The statement quoted member of the European Campaign to End the Siege on
Gaza Amin abu Rashid recalling that the entire world condemned the attack on
the flotilla in international waters in May, which left nine Turkish activists
dead and scores others injured.
He also recalled the UN's human rights report confirming brutal treatment
of the activists by the Israelis. "There is sufficient and substantial
evidence to warrant legal action against the attackers according to article
147 of the fourth Geneva Convention.
"The Israelis are guilty of premeditated man slaughter, torture, inhumane
treatment, knowingly causing extreme physical pain, and otherwise compromising
safety and health of the activists," he pointed out.
Speaking for a Dutch ship, Benji de Levie said, "The humanitarian mission
of the second Freedom Flotilla is a peaceful mission in response to silence by
governments over what goes on in besieged Gaza."
He cautioned that "Any military or political attempt to stop the flotilla
from reaching Gaza Strip would be a violation of international law and must be
treated as thus by our governments."
The flotilla coalition's statement also said that "Preparations are afoot
in all concerned cities for the journey, with activists coming from Europe,
North America, north Africa, Asia, South America, and Australia, and all is
expected to go on time."
Fifteen ships are expected to take part in the flotilla and carry relief
supplies, as well as over 1,000 activists, journalists, politicians,
humanitarian workers, artists, and human rights activists, according to the
statement.(end)
mzt.wsa
KUNA 080949 Mar 11NNNN