Ehud Barak Threatens Israeli Interception of Lebanese Humanitarian Aid Ship, Mariam, Heading to Besieged Gaza

Barak: “We Will Intercept Lebanese Ships Heading To Gaza”

Saturday August 21, 2010 02:37 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, threatened that Israel will intercept and, if needed, use force against two Lebanese solidarity ships heading to the besieged Gaza Strip.

He claimed that the Lebanese ships are not on a humanitarian mission but are considered a provocative act.

“If they insist to sail to Gaza, we will have to intercept them”, Barak said. “We will be forced to attack it and take the ships to Ashdod port.”

Barak also addressed the Lebanese government and urged it to prevent the solidarity ships from sailing to Gaza. He further contacted a number of countries to oblige Lebanon to prevent the sailing of the shops.

He claims that the ships were organized by a “terrorist group that aims at killing Israelis.”

Furthermore, the organizers of the Lebanese women flotilla “Mariam” stated Friday that they intend to sail from Libya to the Gaza Strip on Saturday evening.
The Naji al-Ali flotilla also intends to sail to Gaza several days after Mariam sails.

The ship “Mariam” carried 60 women from Lebanon, Europe and the United States, and will be carrying medical supplies and other humanitarian supplies.

All official documents were obtained from the Lebanese authorities while the ambassador of Cyprus in Lebanon said that the flotilla will be sent back to Lebanon and will not be allowed to sail to Gaza.

El-Khoudary: “External Pressures Forced Mariam Ship To Delay Its Sail To Gaza”

Saturday August 21, 2010 15:10 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

Independent Palestinian Legislator and head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, Jamal El-Khoudary, stated Saturday that enormous external pressures on the Lebanese solidarity ship “Mariam” have forced the ship to delay its trip to Gaza.

The ship was supposed to sail to Gaza on Sunday, in an attempt to deliver medical and humanitarian supplies. Its organizers obtained al legal documents and permits to sail, despite Israeli threats that the Israeli navy and private security planned to attack the ship.

El-Khoudary said that he phoned Yasser Qoshloq, head of the Free Palestine Movement, who told him that the movement is seeking alternative means, and that the ship was delayed, but not cancelled.

El-Khoudary added that the ship is carrying female activists from different parts of the world, including American nuns. The ship’s cargo includes dialysis machines, medicine and medical equipment for treating cancer patients, with a special emphasis on women and children.

The independent legislator said that Arab and international movements must insist on challenging and lifting the illegal siege imposed by Israel on Gaza for the last three and a half years.

He further stated that the Israeli threats and intimidation aim at stopping all acts of solidarity, and that the ships are peaceful and only carry humanitarian supplies to the besieged people of the Gaza Strip.

Cyprus blocks Gaza aid ship ‘Mariam’ from passing through its ports

[ 22/08/2010 - 10:02 AM ]

BEIRUT, (PIC)--

The organizers of the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship, Mariam, have discovered the possibility of changing its course towards Greece after Cypriot authorities announced they will not allow the ship to sail to Gaza from its ports.

The organizers said in a press statement on Saturday that contacts are being made with the Greek government while Cyprus insists on its decision to prohibit the ship’s passage.

Samar Hajj, an activist on board, told Reuters on Saturday: “I do not reel off ... action is underway to find somewhere else (another port for sailing) … there are difficulties … we will not give up easily.”

“The trip was not cancelled … the Mariam voyage will be suspended because we are in a situation that requires suspending the journey,” said the ship's spokeswoman Rima Farah.

She added that there is not enough time between now and 10:00 pm Sunday night (Greenwich time) - which is the scheduled time for the Mariam to set sail - to find another port to sail from.

Lebanese public works minister Gazi al-Aridi said yesterday that Mariam will not set sail to Cyprus after Cypriot authorities declined to welcome it.

Aridi noted that Mariam’s organizers requested permission to set sail to Cyprus and the ministry approved, but Cyprus authorities later rebuffed after increased complications.

Mariam, which carries women activists from Lebanon and the world over who will transport humanitarian aid, was set to sail Sunday from Tripoli, Lebanon to Cyprus, ahead of landing at its final destination in the besieged Gaza Strip, and will be followed by a second women-operated aid vessel from Tripoli called Naji al-Ali, which will be launched this Wednesday to Cyprus and then to Gaza.

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