GREECE: Flotilla activists from the 'Stefano Chiarini', the largest group in the Gaza freedom flotilla in Corfu invite residents on board to view the ship

Record ID: 712863

  • Title: GREECE: Flotilla activists from the 'Stefano Chiarini', the largest group in the Gaza freedom flotilla in Corfu invite residents on board to view the ship
  • Date: 6th July 2011
  • Summary: CORFU, GREECE (JULY 5, 2011) (REUTERS) FLAG READING 'FREEDOM FLOTILLA' WITH BOAT IN BACKGROUND ACTIVIST PUTTING A MALAYSIAN FLAG ON THE BOAT VARIOUS OF GREEK CORFU RESIDENTS STANDING WATCHING THE ACTIVISTS BOAT (SOUNDBITE) (English) KHAIRY JAMALUDIN, MALAYSIAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ON THE FLOTILLA, SAYING "We agreed that the struggle does not end today. Even though we
  • Embargoed: 21st July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece, Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA9QVNSGK2BY6S7DPE81BMOCVI8
  • Story Text: The 'Stefano Chiarini', carrying the largest group of activists based on the Greek island of Corfu allowed locals to view the ship on Tuesday (July 5) after authorities banned the ship from leaving port.
    The curious residents of Corfu toured the ship and told activists they supported their cause.
    The 'Stefano Chiarini' is carrying 65 activists from Germany, Britain, Italy, The Netherlands, and Switzerland, and is the largest ship in the ten vessel flotilla.
    "We agreed that the struggle does not end today. Even though we don't sail today, we may not sail tomorrow, we may not sail the day after tomorrow, but one day soon we will get to Gaza and we need your support, we need your solidarity," said Malaysian MP Khairy Jamaludin.
    Dutch activist Nourdin El Ouli said the ship had all the proper paperwork but was being held up regardless.
    "Nobody can explain to us why we are not allowed to leave. Everybody knows the only reason we cannot sail out is because of the political and diplomatic pressure on Greece which is very weak at the moment, we know that, from Israel. And I think if the world is ruled by this way we should all speak out," El Ouli said.
    The activists of the ten-vessel flotilla have not been given approval to leave from Greek shores, after a government ban on ships sailing from Greece to Gaza through the Israeli naval blockade.
    The government said on Monday (July 4) it was an issue of safety for the activists. Greece offered to commission its own ships to sail the flotilla activists' humanitarian aid to Gaza in an operation that would be co-ordinated with the United Nations (U.N.). The ships would not have the activists on board, and the destination would be co-ordinated with the U.N..
    Two other ships, the American and Canadian activists' vessels, have tried to leave Greece but were prevented by coastguard officials and remain at port. The French ship also made a symbolic effort to leave but only got as far as starting its engines.
    The flotilla is meeting in Greece to sail humanitarian aid, such as medicine and building materials, to the Gaza strip through the Israeli naval blockade and send a symbolic message to end the Israeli blockade.
    There are some 356 activists on board all ten ships, which include Canadian, French, American, Greek, Italian, German Swedish, Belgian, Danish, and Dutch activists. Activists include writers, members of parliament, artists, ex-military personnel, and other civilians.
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