http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/20106451226156655.html
Friday, June 04, 2010
09:28 Mecca time, 06:28 GMT
Another aid ship on way to Gaza
Nine activists were killed when Israeli military raided an aid ship
trying to break the Gaza siege [Reuters]
Malaysia's government has urged Israel not to take any action that could harm
people aboard a Malaysian-funded Irish aid ship, now heading to Gaza.
The MV Rachel Corrie is carrying 11 activists, including Mairead Corrigan, a
Nobel Peace laureate, and eight crew members, just days after another aid
vessel was boarded by Israeli soldiers who killed nine activists.
Anifah Aman, Malaysia's foreign affairs minister, said in a statement issued
late on Thursday that the Israeli authorities should ensure a safe passage for
the vessel to Gaza to deliver the humanitarian cargo.
The Rachel Corrie is funded by Perdana Global Peace Organisation, a Malaysian
non-governmental organisation headed by Mahathir Mohamad, the country's former
prime minister.
The vessel was 40km away from Port Said in Egypt on Friday morning, and hoped
to arrive in Gaza on Saturday with a cargo of humanitarian aid.
Safe passage sought
Shamsul Akmar, one of the activists aboard the ship, told Al Jazeera that all
the people on board are all peace activists.
"We do not know what to expect, but hope that we will be given safe passage to
get the aid to Gaza," he said.
IN DEPTH
Despite fears of an Israeli attack, the peace activists are determined to try
and break through the blockade.
"If the Israeli army attacks us and tries to board our ship, we will not
attempt any resistance," Akmar said.
"We will take our boat, as far as possible and if they do come on board
forcefully, we will not resist."
The ship is named after an American woman who was killed by an Israeli military
bulldozer in the Gaza Strip in 2003, while trying to protest a house demolition.
Brian Cowen, the Irish prime minister, asked Israel to permit the Irish-owned
aid ship to dock in Gaza.
Israeli offer
Israel has offered to escort the vessel and deliver the civilian aid for it and
said Egypt was prepared to do the same.
But the activists said that they were concerned that not all cargo would be
delivered.
The ship has medical equipment, school supplies and cement, a material Israel
has banned from entering Gaza.
The Rachel Corrie is named for an American killed by an Israeli bulldozer
in Gaza in 2003
Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli foreign minister, said that Israel would not
allow its Gaza blockade to be breached.
"No ship will reach Gaza. The Rachel Corrie will not reach Gaza," he told
Israel Radio.
Mathias Chang, an activist from the Perdana Global Peace Organisation on board
the ship, said that they were aware of the risk that the Israelis may intercept
them, but were still determined to go ahead.
"We have told the whole world, and we have told the Israeli media and
television, that we are peace activists," Chang said.
"If and when they intercept us, we will be waiting on the top deck of the ship,
with nothing but the clothes on our backs."
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