Lebanon – Gaza Aid Flotilla Sets Sail From Lebanon With all-women Crew

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    The co-ordinator of the voyage, Samar al-Haj, told the Guardian this week the Lebanese government had given permission for the boats to leave for Cyprus, the first leg of the journey, this weekend.Lebanon – A ship bearing aid for Gaza is preparing to leave Tripoli in Lebanon this weekend in the latest attempt to defy the Israeli blockade – with only women on board.

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    The Saint Mariam, or Virgin Mary, has a multi-faith international passenger list, including the Lebanese singer May Hariri and a group of nuns from the US. “They are nuns, doctors, lawyers, journalists, Christians and Muslims,” said Mona, one of the participants who, along with the other women, has adopted the ship’s name, Mariam.

    The Mariam and its sister ship, Naji Alali, had hoped to set off several weeks ago but faced several delays after Israel launched a diplomatic mission to pressure Lebanon to stop the mission.

    The co-ordinator of the voyage, Samar al-Haj, told the Guardian this week the Lebanese government had given permission for the boats to leave for Cyprus, the first leg of the journey, this weekend.

    Israel says it is concerned a flotilla from Lebanon, with whom it has ongoing hostility, will smuggle weapons to Gaza. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalev, has warned that Israel reserves the right to use “necessary measures” in line with international law to stop the ship.

    But al-Haj says the mission is purely humanitarian. “Our goal is to arrive in Gaza,” she said. “It is the responsibility of the government to deal with the politics. We are not political.”

    She said that once news of the flotilla was out organisers were inundated with requests to join the voyage, with more than 400 from the US alone. At least 10 Americans will be on board.

    The boat has been stocked with medical instruments and medicines to take to the Palestinians.

    In preparation for the voyage the participants gathered at a hotel in Beirut to discuss their plans. The logistics are many: minimal grooming, strict food rationing, and limited water supply.

    “There will be no showers, no skirts and no makeup,” al-Haj told the group.

    The participants are aware of the dangers, having followed the fate of another flotilla carrying aid for Gaza that was attacked by Israel in May.

    Israeli forces landed on the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish vessel, killing nine activists on board. Al-Haj reminded the women to be prepared for a confrontation.

    “Have blood tests in case we come under attack from Israel and you need a blood transfusion,” she said. She added that organisers were going out of their way not to provoke Israel.

    “We will not even bring cooking knives,” she said.

    Serena Shim, who is heavily pregnant, decided to join the voyage because of her belief that the blockade is unjust. “These people need aid,” she said.

    Asked how they would react to an Israeli military assault, one activist, Tania al Kayyalisaid: “We are not planning to fight or attack – but we will not leave the St Mariam.”


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    15 Comments
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    Paskunyak
    Paskunyak
    13 years ago

    Sink them.

    They all belong at a sink anyway.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Israel did bit attack. Israel was attacked.

    sheldon
    sheldon
    13 years ago

    Torpedo the boat feed the poor defensless sharks and fish

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Great them with all-female commandos ha ha

    norman swartzkup
    norman swartzkup
    13 years ago

    use women soldiers to stop them.(id love to watch the show) ps u can be sure IDF chaylot r not wearing skirts.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I don’t believe a word this group said they may try to trick israel and bring bombs guns the
    medical
    supplies maybe tainted poisoned in order to say israel poisoned the food and israel should never handle the transfer of food or goods only the un which was cought trying to transfer a truck full of explosive to gaza last year

    Paskunyak
    Paskunyak
    13 years ago

    To #3—

    The poor fish will die of food poisoning if they eat these ugly wenches!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    No showers? They will surely stir up a great stink!

    oh, really
    oh, really
    13 years ago

    “She added that the organisers were going out of their way not to provoke Israel”.
    Interesting, I’m pretty sure riding a ship into blockaded waters is a small “provocation”, maybe they should take that into account.

    13 years ago

    Israel should take the opportunity to point out the hypocrisy of this Lebanese flotilla. The Lebanese women are lining up to stand up for Palestinians in Gaza while in Lebanon there are *half a million Palestinians* who are treated as less than second class. Unlike any other foreign national they are forbidden to become citizens, they are essentially forbidden to work and basically considered as illegal immigrants. They have no rights; voting, work, or travel. They are political prisoners with no hope or prospect.

    These “demonstrators” claim they “feel for the plight” of the Palestinians in Gaza. Well what are they doing to help alleviate the plight of the half a million Palestinians who for the past 60+ years have no rights in their own country, Lebanon? The flotilla is certainly not humanitarian motivated; this is solely a political attack against Israel. The hypocritical Lebanese could care less about Palestinians; whether they happen to live in Gaza or Lebanon.

    13 years ago

    What supplies do the Gaza people need? Thay have everything! Did you see their shopping malls? They use this tact to bring in amos! Israel knows all about it. Now they’re sending women so when Israel will attack the boat the whole world will say LOOK Israel killed innocent women!!! Just like when Lebenon fired rockets from shools and Israel retaliated by shooting back and those kids died. The whole world was up against Israel for killing innocent kids.

    typical women
    typical women
    13 years ago

    They heard about the new mall that just opened in Gaza, they’re just looking for a bargain!

    Ahuvah54
    Ahuvah54
    13 years ago

    This is how the Arabs protect their women.

    Matzoslocal101
    Matzoslocal101
    13 years ago

    This is a great opportunity for Israel to dispel all the criticism that they discriminate against women. Shoot them.