"Freedom Flotilla III" Sails to Break a Shifting Siege of Gaza
Wednesday, 20 May 2015 By Joe Catron, Truthout | Report
September 4, 2008: Boats flying the Palestinian flag welcome the Free Palestine vessel in Gaza. (Photo: Free Gaza movement)
As a ship crewed by Palestine solidarity activists from Sweden and Norway navigates the northern European coast, political shifts across the Mediterranean could affect both the reception and the impact of its impending voyage.
The Marianne of Gothenburg, which left its home port on May 10, is the first of at least three vessels to depart for a new effort to challenge Israel's naval blockade of the Palestinian Gaza Strip. In late June, "Freedom Flotilla III" will rendezvous in the Mediterranean before the final leg of its journey.
The flotilla will follow previous efforts by international activists to sail into Gaza, starting with the August 23, 2008, arrival of two small wooden boats launched by the Free Gaza Movement. They were the first foreign vessels to sail into Gaza since Israel closed its seaport after occupying the Strip in June 1967.
After four more Free Gaza voyages successfully reached the enclave in 2008, the Israeli navy began intercepting them, starting with the Dignity, which Israeli warships rammed on December 30. The damaged craft limped to Lebanon. Others would not be so lucky. In coming years, the new Israeli policy of strictly enforcing its blockade brought detentions, injuries and deportations.
in full: http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/30908-freedom-flotilla-iii-sails-to-break-a-shifting-siege-of-gaza