Second Flotilla Boat Leaves Greece For Gaza
The Swedish-flagged ship Juliano left Greece Wednesday on its way to the Gaza Strip a day after it was turned back by the Greek coast guard.
Some 20 activists are on board the vessel, which was damaged last week while sitting in a Greek port. Organizers blamed Israel for the problems.
The Juliano will rendezvous with Dignite al Karama, a small French boat with eight activists aboard that left Greek waters Tuesday as the first vessel of the Gaza-bound flotilla attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade of the coastal strip.
The ships are marking the May 31, 2010 raid of a similar flotilla by Israeli commandos. Nine Turkish activists were killed in the subsequent melee, including a Turkish-American dual citizen.
Israel says the flotilla is illegal and military action to keep it from arriving in Gaza is legitimate. Israel maintains the blockade to keep weapons from flowing into Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, and also as leverage to secure the freedom of Gilad Shalit, a kidnapped soldier held by Hamas since 2006.
Human rights groups say the blockade keeps out basic foods and medicines, although the Obama administration says its conditions have eased considerably in the last year.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
