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Passengers of The Audacity of Hope now confident Greek authorities will allow US boat to leave


Contrary to reports in the Israeli press - see below - activists are confident all ships will indeed be sailing in the flotilla, including the US ship The Audacity of Hope.

For Immediate Release – Monday, June 27, 2011 (US Boat to Gaza)

U.S. Boat to Gaza Responds to Reports Israeli “Lawfare” Group Filed Complaint Delaying Departure of U.S. Boat

Passengers on The Audacity of Hope Now Confident
Greek Authorities Will Allow U.S. Boat to Leave

Contact:
In Athens: Donna Nevel 30-694-266-3713
In New York: Leslie Cagan 845-688-5646

Athens – Passengers on the U.S. Boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, said news reports that an Israeli “lawfare” group, Shurat HaDin, is behind the complaint delaying the departure of the U.S. boat from Greece substantiate the Americans’ assertions that the complaint is frivolous. The passengers expressed confidence that Greek authorities will now quickly dispense with the complaint and allow The Audacity of Hope to sail.

On Sunday, June 26, the Jerusalem Post reported: [1] “Sources in the Shurat HaDin (Israel Law Center) on Sunday took responsibility for lodging an anonymous civil complaint against the American-flagged ship, The Audacity of Hope, which is a part of the flotilla expected to sail towards Gaza later this week, Army Radio reported.” The Israeli group is known for making frivolous legal complaints against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, a form of political harassment known in the U.S. as “lawfare.”

“We reiterate that the boat we are leasing for this journey, after its refitting for the voyage to Gaza, was surveyed by a professional surveyor and successfully completed its sea trials,” said Ann Wright, an organizer and passenger on the U.S. boat. “There is no reason for any further delays on this matter, we are ready to sail.”

References:
1. “Report: Group says its responsible for flotilla complaint,” Jpost.com, 06/26/2011 21:45, http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=226663

See below the report on Ynet claiming six ships have been 'detained'.

From Ynet News
Six ships which were slated to take part in the Gaza-bound flotilla are being detained by the Greek port authorities, Ynet learned Sunday night.

Senior officials in Jerusalem have confirmed the report, which followed a Sunday decision by Greece to stop the US vessel "Audacity of Hope" from participating in the sea-bound convoy.

While the organizers of the maritime convoy claim that more than 1,500 activists are set to take part in the initiative, it now appears that no more than seven ships, carrying 200-500 passengers, will participate in the flotilla. more
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