Update on Israeli kidnap of humanitarian boat and passengers

by Justin Morahan Wed Jul 01, 2009 22:19

Kidnapped Passengers from the Spirit of Humanity include

Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of Bahrain.

Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.

Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.

Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.

Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.

Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.

Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.

Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on international struggles for social justice.

Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.

Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard the Spirit of Humanity.

Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage to Gaza.

Fathi Jaouadi, UK
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.

Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.

Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.

Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential candidate.

Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.

Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.

Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

by Justin Morahan Wed Jul 01, 2009 22:27

Below, with latest news at the top, are latest messages
Source as above
:" 1.
: Two released, 19 still imprisoned.
: Keep up the phone calls, emails, anger at
: what has happened. Remember 11,000
: Palestinians also imprisoned (7 minutes ago
: from web)
: 2.
: No word where passengers are. Only a
: few text messages. Call the Israeli
: authorities and insist they be released.
: Outrageous. (about 5 hours ago from web)
: 3.
: Passengers are fine but outraged. Will
: know more today. Most want to get back on
: boat and go to Gaza. We will not stop trying
: to come. (about 7 hours ago from web)
: 4.
: Thanks to all who have called,
: emailed, texted your outrage. Thousands
: contacted Israeli officials, hundreds
: contacted local government. (about 7 hours ago
: from web)

by Don DeBar - WBAIX.org Thu Jul 02, 2009 08:05 dondebar at optonline dot net

Former Pacifica Radio and now fired and banned reporter Don DeBar for www.WBAIX.org posed the following:

This is an interview with three of the Gaza 21. now being held in an Israeli jail. They used a cell phone to conact me and we bwing you theirl ive sound here.

There were demonstations across the US yesterday against the illegal seizure of the Gaza 21 and the humanitarian aid they were bringing to Gaza's children. They were captured by Israel on the high seas - i.e., in international waters.

Organize a rally where you are and call for the immediate release of the Gaza 21 and the crayons and other materials they were bringing to the people of Gaza.

Forward your materials to dondebar@optonline.net

Jailhouse interview from Israel w/Don DeBar
Jailhouse interview from Israel w/Don DeBar 4.41 Mb

by Alan in Mayo Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:10

Many thanks for a great report.

Nobel Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Dr. Mona El-Farra VP International Red Cresent (Red Cross) Gaza Nov 2008

by Justin Morahan Sat Jul 04, 2009 18:05

Mairead Maguire is on a fast in her cell in Giv'On Prison at Ramle near Tel Aviv according to Michael Jansen in an article in today's Irish Times.

In her mobile phone interview with Jansen she said this is not a hunger strike - she is drinking plenty of water and is looking after her health. She said that she is fasting and praying for the people of Gaza.

Describing the seizure of the boat as "a pretty horrific experience" she relates that the 21 people were kidnapped in international waters and brought to Israel against their will.

Jansen says that the Israeli navy shadowed the boat from 3 am until 3 pm. Its communications, she says, were cut in order to force it into Israeli waters but the captain kept on course. About 24 miles from Gaza, Israeli commandos boarded, roughed up two of the men and took the vessel to the Israeli port of Ashdod, says Ms Jansen.

Passengers and crew were then transferred to cells at the airport and then to prison. Their personal property was taken - Mairead remarks that hers has not been returned and she has no change of clothes. She is in a cell with five foreign nationals (not from the boat). The five Bahrainis who were on the boat were deported yesterday and two Israeli/Palestinians had been released on Thursday, according to Ms Jansen. A private jet sent by the ruler of Bahrain brought the Bahrainis home on the final part of their journey from Jordan.

Mairead told Ms Jansen that they were given deportation papers on arrival on Wednesday and that their detention is to end on Monday. They were still waiting to see a lawyer.

Meanwhile Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has called for the prompt release of all those who were on the boat including Irish citiizens Mairead Maguire and Derek Graham.

On my count, Micheal Martin is the third Irish politician to complain to Israel. Previous protests have been made by Sinn Fein TD, Aenghus O'Snodaigh, and Socialist MEP, Joe Higgins.

by Justin Morahan Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:56

It appears that all 21 prisoners kidnapped by Israel are now free - two to Israel the rest are being deported to various countries.

The following information courtesy of IPSC

The two Irish citizens kidnapped by the Israeli state last Tuesday - Nobel Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Derek Graham - will be deported to Ireland today Tuesday 7th July. Their flight IZ921 will arrive at Dublin airport at 19.40.

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) will be organising a welcoming committee at the airport, and there will be a PRESS CONFERENCE with Ms. Maguire and Mr. Graham at 9.00pm in the Malton Room, Radison Blu Hotel beside Dublin Airport. A number of elected representatives have also expressed interest in speaking at the event.

by Justin Morahan Wed Jul 08, 2009 01:24

Mairead and Derek have been welcomed home at Dublin airport. At a later press conference in the nearby Radisson Hotel told how they had been deported by Israel although they never went voluntarily to Israel. Their boat had been intercepted and interfered with in international waters and boarded just inside Gazan waters. They were in fact forced into Israel and then deported after seven days detention.

See http://www.indymedia.ie/article/93077 for Michael Gallagher's pictures