Israel Threatens To Intercept The Women’s Boat To Gaza (WBG)
The South African WBG team noted with concern the threat by Israel to intercept the Zaytouna and arrest all the women aboard.
Often referred to as the worlds largest open-air prison the Gaza Strip has been under a violent Israeli siege for a decade. The human rights violations against the people of Gaza by the apartheid state have been countless and despite UN Resolutions Israel continues its brutal occupation with impunity.
According to a report by the Israeli Maariv, Israel has issued orders for the Gaza bound, Women’s Boat to Gaza mission to be intercepted and for the arrest of all those aboard. It has become apparent that the Israeli naval forces have received the orders to intercept the Zaytouna as soon as it reaches the shores of Gaza.
The Zaytouna is to be towed to the Ashdod Harbor while female activists will be deported to their mother countries after being made to sign pledges to never return.
There is an all-women crew and 10 participants from all over the world aboard. These include: Mairead Maguire, Irish Nobel Laureate, Leigh-Ann Naidoo former South African Olympian, Marama Davidson New Zealand Parliamentarian and former US military Colonel and diplomat Ann Wright.
The Zaytouna is expected to reach Gazan shores within the next three days and the South African team calls on peace and justice loving people around the world to offer their support and to protest the interception and forceful arrest of the courageous women aboard this peace mission.
Info: Zeenat Adam
0824762780
