Women Prepare to Set Sail Past Israel By Mona Alami Samar Hajj Credit:Mona Alami BEIRUT, Jul 22, 2010 (IPS) - The 'Maryam', an all-female Lebanese aid ship, currently docked in the northern Lebanese port of Tripoli, is getting ready to set sail for Gaza in the next few days. The ship, which aims to break Israel's siege on the Palestinian territory, will carry about 50 aid workers, including some U.S. nuns keen to deliver aid to the long-suffering women and children of Gaza.
"We were all drawn to the project...united by a feeling of stark injustice," says Samar Hajj, one of the organisers of the Maryam, which is named after the mother of Christ. Israel's siege began in 2006 after Hamas militants won Palestinian legislative elections, then led a cross-border raid and kidnapped an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Its watertight blockade has been maintained with Egypt's help, since Hamas sought control of the territory in 2007. It has resulted in crippling shortages, making daily life difficult in Gaza. On May 31, Israeli forces attacked Mavi Marmaris, a Turkish humanitarian aid vessel bringing aid to Gaza, killing nine Turkish activists on board. After the attack, which sparked a wave of global condemnation of Israel, Hajj gathered to protest against Israel in downtown Beirut with 11 other friends. "We were appalled at the violent images we saw on TV and wanted to take action." The women later got in touch with Yasser Kashlak, a 36-year-old Syrian of Palestinian origin, who heads the Free Palestine Movement. Kashlak had contributed to the financing of other vessels that tried breaking the siege, including the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and the Naji al Ali. "After the Mavi Marmaris incident, one of the women hailed Mary during our weekly meeting. Her exclamation came like a revelation, so we decided to call our ship Maryam (Mary in Arabic). The name was perfect for a vessel that comprised only women. Who could disparage the Virgin Mary, a recognised saint in most religions?" says Hajj. The ship is slated to make a stopover in a friendly port before heading to Israel because of the palpable hostility between Lebanon and Israel. Last month, the Cypriot government banned any vessel headed to Gaza from its docks. But activists can still sail from a port in Turkish Cyprus. "We have the option to sail from a number of friendly ports and are completely aware of our obligation to transit through a foreign port to avoid our trip being labeled an act of war," says Hajj. Hajj estimates that she has received about 500 applications for the trip, but the Maryam will transport only about 50 women, half of who are Lebanese nationals, the rest being Arabs, Europeans and from the U.S. The organiser explains that carrying Palestinians on the ship is not an option because of the risk of arrests by Israelis. "The ship will transport cancer medicine and other necessary items for women and children. We will not carry any weapons or terrorists, irrespective of what the Israeli army might say," says Hajj. While they wait to set sail, the headquarters of the Maryam remains agog with activity as women from different backgrounds, political affiliations, nationalities and religious beliefs converse, argue and joke. "All women travelling on the ship have taken on the name Maryam and are distinguishable by a number, like Maryam 1, Maryam 2, etc. We prefer to keep identities secret to avoid pressure from respective embassies," adds Hajj. Maryam 1 is a middle aged Indian lawyer and the wife of an admiral. "I am a follower of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi who fought against every form of oppression peacefully in the course of his life. He was also opposed to the occupation of Palestine," she says. The lawyer explains that before deciding to join the Maryam, she studied the legal implications of the attack on the Free Gaza Flotilla, which she says was illegitimate. "What the Mavi Marmaris attack highlighted was that two sets of rules were applied to humanity, depending on a people's colour, race and religion. But what people fail to realise is that suffering is by nature indivisible." Sitting across from her was Maryam 2, a former biologist of Lebanese- Armenian descent. "I have been closely following the Palestinian issue and have been moved by the blatant injustice that is practiced against Palestinians by the Israelis," she says. At the daily meetings, Maryam 2 bonded with other women from diverse backgrounds, particularly a Turkish journalist. Turkey and Armenia have been at odds since the Turkish massacre of Armenians in the early 19th century. "The journalist, who barely speaks English told me I was a godsend when she discovered I could speak some Turkish. Here at the Maryam headquarters, nationality and religion dissolve behind the common resolve of breaking the siege of Gaza," she says. The sail date for both aid ships from Beirut has yet to be announced. Lebanese Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi said the Naji Al-Ali is now docked at the northern Lebanese port of Tripoli and can set sail once it is cleared by port authorities. However, the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat reported recently that the sail of the two ships has been postponed until further notice, particularly after Iran cancelled sending two aid ships to the area. The report was denied by Saer Ghandour, the organiser of the Naji Al-Ali sailing, who added that the ship's formalities were still in process. Meanwhile, most Maryam passengers are impatient to set sail. "We will not fight Israelis with weapons, stones or knives, but with our free will," says Maryam 3, a single woman working in the Lebanese government. "And we will not surrender." In Israel, the army chief, Gabi Ashkenazi, told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on Jul. 6 that every effort should be made to ensure that no more flotillas set sail for Gaza. "Now a Lebanese flotilla with women and parliament members is getting organised. Israel is trying to prevent its departure in open and covert ways." 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