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French boat turns back - future of flotilla in doubt but succeeded in highlighting unjust siege


The Guardian is reporting that the flotilla's mission to break the siege may be over following the unprecedented lengths the US, Israel and Greece have gone to to stop pro-Palestine activists' boats reaching Gaza. Some activists, including Alice Walker, according to BBC World Service, have returned home and the only boat heading to Gaza has now turned back.

The Greek government has a lot to answer for. It is a government hated by its own people and now also by humanitarians and fighters for social justice, and Palestinian liberation in particular, around the world.

But even though the flotilla has not reached the people of Gaza it has highlighted the unjust siege and illegal naval blockade in addition to the desperate and duplicitous methods Israel and its supporters will use to keep 1.5 million people trapped in an open-air prison. For the Palestinian people, as always, the struggle continues, and so too does the international campaign of solidarity.

From the Guardian
Activists seeking to break Israel's blockade of Gaza with a flotilla of aid ships appeared close to defeat on Tuesday as a self-imposed deadline expired and many of the international campaigners due to sail began to return home.

Although some vowed to continue with their quest, no new date has been set for departure of the flotilla, which was supposed to be taking medicines, food, gifts and building materials to Gaza.

An Israeli law centre claimed credit for ending the flotilla's ambitions.

Just over a year after nine people were killed when Israeli marines stormed a pro-Palestinian flotilla, authorities last week banned ships destined for Gaza from leaving Greek ports, aiming to stop the latest flotilla "for their safety".

The Greeks have intercepted several of the flotilla's 10 ships as they tried to leave port in recent days, while others were forced to withdraw from the voyage due to damage which passengers blamed on Israeli sabotage.

One small French craft did manage to evade the Greek coastguard and reach international waters on Tuesday, but those on board decided not to try for Gazan waters alone and have now turned back. Meanwhile, the American captain of The Audacity of Hope, a flotilla vessel which was forced back to shore after attempting to break free on Friday, was released from custody on Tuesday. John Klusmire had been arrested on charges of setting sail without permission and endangering passengers, prompting a hunger strike from activists on board. Other protests by flotilla campaigners in Athens – including the occupation of the Spanish embassy – are ongoing. more
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