'Hope' Ship On Its Way To Gaza

Monday July 12, 2010 07:50 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian independent Legislator, Jamal el-Khodary, head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, and Arab member of Knesset, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, stated that the Hope solidarity ship sent by Libya continued its path to Gaza after arriving at Crete island.

File qudsnet.com

The two legislators said that, so far, no delays were reported and that everything is going according to the original plan.

The ship was sent by Kaddafi Charitable Society, and is supported by Saif al-Islam, the son of Libyan leader Mommar Kaddafi.

Tibi and el-Khodary thanked Saif al-Islam for sending the ship that carries political and humanitarian messages.

El-Khodary stated that the ship carries medicine and humanitarian supplies, and that its organizers insist to reach Gaza to deliver them. They have detailed lists of everything and everybody aboard the ship.

The Palestinian Legislator thanked the Libyan President, different organizations that supported the ship and the Libyan people for standing against the illegal Israeli siege on Gaza.

He added that any Israeli attack against the ship is another act of piracy punishable by international law, and called on the international community to protect all solidarity ships.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said that Israel will not allow the ship to reach Gaza.

Speaking to the Israeli Radio, Lieberman said that “no ship will reach Gaza”, and considered solidarity ships as “acts that harm Israel’s sovereignty”.

He added that the ship must go to al-Arish Egyptian Port, or follow the orders of the Israeli army and dock in Ashdod Port.

The ship carries 2000 tons of foodstuffs, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies, while its organizers said that it does not violate international laws and regulations.

arab world | gaza siege | news report saed at imemc dot org