BREAKING: GREEK COAST GUARD HAS STOPPED 2011 FLOTILLA/US BOAT TO GAZA (ONGOING)
Read Joseph Dana's recent article at the The Nation, The Battle Over The Gaza Flotilla
See Updates Below
Video of interaction between Greek Coast Guard and Audacity US Boat to Gaza. Includes footage of Armed Commandos. Women speaking are Ann Wright, then Medea Benjamin
* Update 10:
This afternoon, after The Audacity of Hope was blocked and turned back by the Greek Coast Guard, the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) checked in with passenger Medea Benjamin for a "live update from the ground." Listen to it here.
* Update 9:
* Update 8:
US Boat to Gaza, reports that Greek authorities "most likely going to bring some type of charges against the captain of our boat."
* Update 7:
Freedom Flotilla spokeswoman Greta Berlin said the international movement to challenge Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip will not be stopped. After more than a week of threats, sabotage, dirty tricks and intense propaganda, and despite the fact that "The Greeks are cooperating with Israel as much as they can," Berlin said their plan has not changed to "move the boats by July 5 to get to our rendezvous point no later than July 6 or 7." She said the Greek authorities had not yet allowed the U.S. boat, The Audacity of Hope, to leave the port of Piraeus, and added that nine boats were now hoping to take part in the mission, compared with original plans for up to 15 ships.
"We will go with what we have," Berlin said.
* Update 6:According to the Jerusalem Post, late Friday evening, the US boat, The Audacity of Hope, was turned back to a Greek port after it was intercepted by Greek commandos Friday evening, organizers said through their Twitter feed. The boat was brought under Coast Guard escort to a closed Coast Guard base in Greece. The Post reported...
"Minutes before initially being intercepted, organizers said that the ship's passengers were preparing to 'non-violently resist any efforts to stop the boat,' saying moments later that the boat 'is about to set sail,' followed by a message saying that the ship had departed. Through the boat's twitter feed, organizers said that a Greek Coast Guard vessel approached The Audacity of Hope as it was pulling away from the dock but then sped away.
Since The Audacity of Hope is now under Greek Coast Guard control, the Post said it is "not immediately clear how the boat's departure would affect the overall flotilla plans."
* Update 5:
It's "show time" for Israel, and possibly the United States, in their continued inhumane blockade of Gaza. The Greek government is saying that "the departure of ships with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza has been prohibited." Although Greece says it is only trying to prevent a "breach of Israel's naval blockade," surely they realize they have been set up to be the "fall guy" if violence erupts and there are casualties.
Check back often at Audio Feed From The Boat.
U.S. Boat to Gaza has reported that a second Greek Coast Guard boat with "more heavily armed forces" has arrived and that after discussions the decision was made to return to shore. They are calling for supporters to contact the Greek Embassy in Washington, DC.
USBOATTOGAZA US BOAT TO GAZA
Plz RT: In or near DC?? Join the demonstration at the #Greek embassy (2217 Mass Ave) and tell them: LET THE #FLOTILLA2 SAIL! @USBOATTOGAZA
19 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Greek foreign ministry spokesman, Dimitris Delavekouras, tells #CNN Greece has banned all boats from sailing to #Gaza @USBOATTOGAZA @ibnezra
Palaestina Voice from Palestine
USBOATTOGAZA US BOAT TO GAZA
Our Captain is currently explaining to the Coast Guard that we have all papers and inspections necessary to sail @ USBOATTOGAZA # flotilla2
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July 1, 2011