Israeli and Palestinian voices about the attack on Ship to Gaza
Israeli peace activists are gathering for a demonstration in Ashdod. They expect to be at least 100 activists coming by bus and car from the rest of Israel.
– The Coalition of Women for Peace stands in solidarity with the heroic members of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla and the people of Palestine. We were all horrified to learn of the brutal killing and injuring of peace activists by Israeli Security Forces. Hopefully this will help the international community to open its eyes and stand together against the violent oppression of the Palestinian people. Many Jewish and Palestinian activists are gathering at the port of Ashdod waiting for the flotilla to arrive and calling for an end to the Occupation and an immediate end of the siege of Gaza, says Yoana Gonen from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundations partner organisation Coalition of Women for Peace in Tel Aviv who is on her way to the demonstration in one of the busses.
There will probably be other demonstrations around Israel. Especially since the Muslim leader Raed Salah who was on one of the ships is severely injured from the attack.
At 12 o’clock there will be a demonstration in Ramallah in support of Ship to Gaza. Sama Aweidah from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation partner organisation Women’s Studies Centre in Jerusalem will participate.
– This is a criminal war. I very much regret that people who support Palestine have been killed. We call on the international community to take strong action. The act goes against all international law, says Sama Aweidah.
Lena Ag, Secretary General of the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, condemns the attack on her blog today:
“Just like many others I woke up this morning to the news reports about the Israeli attack on the relief consignments for the people in Gaza, the Ship to Gaza, on international waters. And just like many others I was deeply chocked. For a democratic state to assault peaceful relief boats, with civilians who wants to help other civilians with food and supplies, is remarkable. And to do it with strong military force against a peaceful flottilla, which has led to many persons being killed and injured, is shocking and unacceptable!
There is no other way for Sweden to handle this than to strongly condemn Israels actions and as a next step discuss further actions in cooperation with the rest of the EU. The EU and the international community must now stop discriminate in favor Israel.”