For Immediate Release
November 8, 2008
Contact: Mary Hughes, Cyprus +357 96 75 00 59
Greta Berlin, Cyprus: +357 99 08 17 67
Osama Qashoo, +44 78 33 38 16 60
Angela Godfrey Goldstein, Jerusalem: +972 547 366 393
Larnaca: The DIGNITY pulled into Gaza at 9:15 a.m. Gaza time after an uneventful trip from Larnaca, Cyprus. The 23 passengers and crew on board were tired but ecstatic that they had arrived. The 11 members of the European Parliament who had originally been denied entrance through the Rafah border had made the crossing by sea courtesy of the Free Gaza Movement’s blockade-busting boat, the third trip for this human rights organization
“I am here to assess the humanitarian situation in Gaza, especially the medical situation. We have medicine and some medical equipment to deliver.” said Baroness Jenny Tonge, one of the Parliamentarians. “What Israel does is outrageous when it breaks all international laws. No other country is able to get away with what Israel does.”
In addition to delivering medical equipment and supplies, the DIGNITY carried mail from friends and family around the world addressed to Gaza residents. This is the first time in many years that mail has reached Palestine without passing through Israeli hands.
The brilliant Israeli journalist, Amira Hass, was also on board. Watching the passengers disembark, we could see the joy in her face as she came home to Gaza, having been denied entrance for two years.
Just before arriving in the waters of Gaza, an Israeli naval gunboat approached, cutting across the bow of the boat, then falling back and tracking it for about an hour. Finally, the gunboat radioed the DIGNITY and asked who they were and where they were going.
After Huwaida Arraf responded, the gunboat asked for the passenger list. “Our passengers are listed on our Free Gaza website for everyone to see,” replied Ms. Arraf, “You’re welcome to visit it any time. And… while you’re there, feel free to make a donation.”
After a pause, then a laugh, the voice on the other end said, “Have a nice day” and left the DIGNITY to glide into the port of Gaza to cheering crowds and a packed agenda for the Parliamentarians.
8 November, 2008, 8am
At 8:000 am Gaza time, an Israeli patrol boat made contact with the DIGNITY. They had been following the boat for about an hour prior to contacting them
They requested a list of passengers on board.
DIGNITY answered “You’re welcome to go to our website, freegaza.org. We have the entire list and biographies of the passengers there.” Huwaida then added, “Once you are at our website, please make a donation.”
The answer from the the warship was “ha, ha, ha, ha.”
There are no Israeli boats in front or behind the boat.
In an hour and 15 minutes, they will be pulling into Gaza Harbor.
—
Greta Berlin
They are four hours away
The DIGNITY is four hours away from Gaza, its engines purring along, the sea calm and few people sick this time. The members of the European Parliament are all asleep, only the crew is awake and working. The SPOT beacon puts them about 80 miles away from the coast; passengers, medicine, medical equipment are all well and safe.
The Free Gaza Movement has heard nothing from the Israeli government this time. They perhaps realized they sounded like bullies over the past two trips, and hope, with their silence, that the story will go away. Of course it won’t.
On board this time is award-winning Israeli journalist, Amira Hass, whose eloquent writings about the trip and the people in Gaza will continue in Haaretz, as she heads for what she calls home. The crack in the wall of public opinion is already impossible to stop. The MEPs will go back to their constituents and testify as to what they have seen.
It may take awhile, but Israel is on the losing end of the campaign to collectively punish 1.5 million Palestinians for their courage in resisting occupation.
—
Greta Berlin
Media Team
Free Gaza Movement
357 99 08 17 67
The New Dark Age 
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