First Ships Of Freedom Flotilla 2 Set Sail

Wednesday June 29, 2011 18:14 by Kevin Murphy - IMEMC and Agencies

The first of the Freedom Flotilla 2 ships have set sail for the rendezvous point in the Mediterranean Sea, where it will meet the rest of the ships participating in the flotilla, according to Haaretz. It is unclear when they will meet up with the other participating ships including the US, Canadian and the Greek/Norwegian/Swedish contingent given bureaucratic delays and suspected sabotage to the Greek ship.

The French and the Irish contingent of the Freedom Flotilla 2 have set sail for the meeting point in the Mediterranean Sea where they will await the arrival of the other flotilla participants before setting sail to Gaza in a repeat of last years attempt to break the Israeli siege on Gaza.

The French Boat "Dignity" and the Irish ship "Freedom" will join an expected 350 participants and set sail for Gaza in the coming days depending on delays.

The flotilla has been the target of bureaucratic red tape such as inspections and paper work that the organisers say is politically motivated and coordinated by Israel.

The US Boat in the flotilla has been targeted for inspection by port authorities, due to a complaint filed by the Israel Law Center claiming that the vessel is 'unseaworthy'. Greek Seamen and legal professionals say that such claims by private individuals are highly unusual.

The Greek ship has also had its propeller shaft cut in what the organisers claim was a direct act of sabotage by Israel.

It is unclear, given the delays, how long the French and Irish contingent will be waiting for the rest of the flotilla participants.

international | gaza siege | news report