Reports edited by Carolyn Bennett
 |
| Pro-Palestinian protesters outside the Israeli embassy in London (AFP/Carl de Souza) |
Their boats were intercepted Friday afternoon in international waters. Some of the activists
and journalists who were on board the Freedom Waves boats to Gaza are reportedly still
being held by Israeli officials.
Jane Hirschmann, the U.S. coordinator said in a UStoGaza
press release that Israeli warships forced the Canadian boat Tahrir and the Irish
boat Saoirse to crash into each other thereby crippling both ships.
Palestinian lawyer Huwaida Arraf, who is providing legal assistance to the
detainees, said today, according to Al-Masry Al-Youm, that 20 out of the 27 people
on board both ships remain in Israeli custody.
 |
| Flag on Tahrir Photo by Lina Attalah |
“Although I was
tasered during the assault on the Tahrir and bruised during forcible removal
dockside, I am basically okay. … All political incarceration is unjust but … in
duration and conditions, our situation pales in comparison to the plight of
thousands of Palestinian political prisoners and the open-air prison that is Gaza.
“We must get Tahrir
back and hope Freedom Waves continue.”
Al Jazeera reported on Saturday, “Israeli authorities detained
pro-Palestinian activists on board two ‘Freedom Waves to Gaza’ vessels, foiling
the latest attempt to break the four-year Israeli blockade of the territory.
“The ships were forced to sail into the Israeli port of Ashdod, where
all 27 passengers were handed over to the authorities and taken to an Israeli
detention facility near Tel Aviv.
“Al Jazeera’s Casey Kauffman [later released] was among a group of
journalists arrested late Friday when the Israeli navy boarded two ships
sailing toward Gaza.
Kauffman reported —
The first two or
three [Israeli navy personnel] that came on board were very aggressive. There
were taser guns and water cannons used but once they were on board they realized
there were non-violent activists and they had the ship under control. At that
point everything calmed down.
|
| Pro-Palestinian protesters outside the Israeli embassy in London (AFP/Carl de Souza) |
Sources
“Freedom Waves activists remain in Israeli custody” (Lina Attalah Sun,
06/11/2011 - 16:40
All rights reserved. Al-Masry Al-Youm), http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/512406
http://ustogaza.org/latest/human-rights-activists-on-boats-to-gaza-beaten-by-israeli-forces-denied-visits-by-lawyers-and-access-to-families-once-in-custody/
Israeli Navy warships intercept #FreedomWaves to #Gaza in Int'l Water
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErSxRE7M4l0&feature=player_embedded&noredirect=1
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Freedom-Flotilla-News-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7...
“Activists on Gaza-bound vessels detained — Pro-Palestinian activists
on board two boats intercepted by Israeli navy held in detention center near
Tel Aviv” November 5, 2011,
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/11/2011115446073214.html
Caption
Protestors demonstrate outside the Israeli Embassy in London. More than
a thousand pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside the Israeli
embassyin London Monday to denounce Israel's storming of a Gaza-bound aid
flotilla which left at least nine people dead. (AFP/Carl de Souza)
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