Friday, March 29, 2024 - 07:06 am CET
Email Email | Print Print | rss RSS | comments icon Comment |   font decrease font increase

   


Email Email | Print Print

Wed, July 07, 2010 | Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

The Julia anchored in the Tripoli harbor (LBC, June 29, 2010)

New Update – The Flotilla to the Gaza Strip

Lebanon

Jamal al-Khudari, chairman of Hamas’ Gaza Strip “Popular Committee to Break the Siege,” said that he expected the two ships from Lebanon to reach the Gaza Strip in the coming days. He said international solidarity was growing daily and that what he called the “Zionist threats do not frighten the organizers of the flotilla” (Al-Ayam, July 4, 2010).

In effect, in the meantime the ships have been delayed. According to “Lebanese sources” international pressure is being exerted on the Lebanese government and the organizers of the flotilla to prevent the ships from setting sail. For example, representatives from various embassies asked the Lebanese government to report the names of their nationals who planned to participate in the voyage (Al-Akhbar, June 29 2010). There are also problems concerning the next port of call, since Cyprus has refused to accept them (Al-Resalah.net, July 1, 2010).

The state of the ships, as of June 29, was the following (Al-Akhbar, June 29, 2010):

* The Nagi al-Ali was anchored in the port of Tripoli under heavy guard. Lebanese sources reported that if the ship remained in port it would be forced to leave the wharf because the port was crowded. According to the organizers of the flotilla, in the coming days the administrative and legal procedures will be completed and a date will be set for the voyage. They added that they intended to lower their media profile to lessen the pressure exerted on the Lebanese government.

* The Maryam (originally the Jawdat), according to the organizers, is still plagued by technical and administrative problems which prevent it from reaching the port of Tripoli. Other sources claim that the original ship will apparently be replaced by one expected to reach Lebanon in the coming days. According to Al-Nahar one of the reasons for the delay is the ambition to find a crew of women to sail the ship, all of whose passengers will be women (Al-Nahar, June 30 2010). Rim Haydar, one of the organizers, said that all the participants had made preparations for the voyage, such as taking first aid courses. She said the changes were the result of the large number of people who want to participate in the flotilla. She also said she wanted to take one of Hassan Nasrallah’s robes with her as a symbolic present (Al-Resalah.net, July 1, 2010).

Algeria

Dr. Omar Tulabi, deputy head of the Algerian society of Muslim sages, said that a flotilla sponsored by the society would set sail from Algeria on July 5 with a cargo of 2,500 tons of humanitarian equipment. It is expected to sail through the Suez Canal and dock in El-Arish. He said the society had already received authorization from Egypt (Al-Shuruq, June 23, 2010). Note: There were 32 Algerians on board the Mavi Marmara, the second largest delegation (after the Turks).

Delegations from foreign countries continue arriving in the Gaza Strip following the incidents of the previous flotilla. An Egyptian delegation arrived which included members of the Parliament, including from the opposition Al-Wafd party (Arabic News website, July 4, 2010). A delegation from Malaysia is also currently in the Gaza Strip (Iranian news website, July 5, 2010). The foreign ministers of France, Italy and Spain (invited by Israel) are also expected to arrive (Jerusalem Post, July 5, 2010)


5 Comments to “Update on the Flotillas to the Gaza Strip”

  1. Update on the Flotillas to the Gaza Strip #israel #gaza #flotilla #jihadism http://j.mp/8YiUkR

  2. avatar Rem Nant says:

    RT @CrethiPlethi: Update on the Flotillas to the Gaza Strip #israel #gaza #flotilla #jihadism http://j.mp/8YiUkR http://ff.im/npBfd

  3. RT @CrethiPlethi: Update on the Flotillas to the Gaza Strip #israel #gaza #flotilla #jihadism http://j.mp/8YiUkR h… http://bit.ly/bzsIPz

  4. avatar Elisabeth says:

    RT @CrethiPlethi: Update on the Flotillas to the Gaza Strip #israel #gaza #flotilla #jihadism http://j.mp/8YiUkR

  5. Aid flotilla likely will not sail to Gaza, Israel says…

    Jerusalem (CNN) — An aid flotilla intended to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza likely will dock at another port, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said Saturday. The 2,000 tons of aid, organized by a global charity headed by the son of Libya…


avatar

Quotes and Sayings

About the Region, Islam and cultural totalitarianism...

    I perfectly understand the particular attention which you pay to the question of nuclear energy, and fully realize the possible dangers and catastrophes which might result for mankind from an irresponsible attitude. In this field my wish is for Iran to put all her efforts towards the peaceful use of atomic energy. We shall continue to co-operate with all the nations of the world to attain this end in the interests of human society.

    — Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, Message to the White House, April 1977, as quoted in The Shah’s Story, page 67-68

Weather Forecast

Middle East region weather forecast...

CRETHIPLETHI.COM - ONLINE MAGAZINE COVERING the MIDDLE EAST, ISRAEL, the ARAB WORLD, SOUTHWEST ASIA and the ISLAMIC MAGHREB - since 2009