The Gaza solidarity blog

Israel seizes Flotilla ship to Gaza and deports two human rights advocates to Canada

CanadianBoatToGaza — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:21:13 +0000

Two Canadians, Robert Lovelace and Kevin Neish, who were on board the Freedom Flotilla III boat Marianne, headed towards Gaza when it was seized by Israeli forces early Monday morning, are returning to Canada today.

Urgent action: Demand federal politicians support Freedom Flotilla to Gaza

CanadianBoatToGaza — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 22:47:32 +0000

Our friends at Independent Jewish Voices Canada have prepared an online letter which you can use to send a message to Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson, Prime Minister Steven Harper, Opposition Leader Thomas Mulcair, NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar, as well as other party leaders & foreign affairs critics. Here is their message:

Dear Friend,

On Saturday morning local Greek time, the third international Freedom Flotilla set sail for Gaza in the hopes of breaking Israel's illegal and immoral blockade.

Israeli navy intercepts and boards Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla in international waters

CanadianBoatToGaza — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 17:15:12 +0000

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International flotilla sets sail with Canadians on board to break Israel's economic siege on Gaza

CanadianBoatToGaza — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 02:08:54 +0000

Today, June 27th 2015 (4 am in Gaza), four boats of the 2015 the Freedom Flotilla III set sail from their final European points of departure. Through nonviolent resistance they will challenge the illegal blockade of the Palestinian Gaza strip, which is running on its 9th year, sailing as always from international waters directly into Palestinian waters.

Follow the Freedom Flotilla III to Gaza with live map updates

CanadianBoatToGaza — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:03:14 +0000

Freedom Flotilla III is an international action that is challenging the blockade on Gaza. Follow the progress of the ships on this live map.

To read more about Freedom Flotilla 3, click here.

You can follow the Canadian Boat to Gaza's blog here.

Freedom Flotilla III has set sail -- a poem from a Canadian on board

CanadianBoatToGaza — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 19:50:34 +0000

Ehab Lotayef wrote this poem about the Mavi Marmara. He is now on board the Freedom Flotilla III, in his second attempt to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

His first was aboard the Canadian Boat to Gaza in 2011.

To read more about Freedom Flotilla III, click here.

Follow the progress of the ships here.

You can follow the Canadian Boat to Gaza's blog here.

The third Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza

CanadianBoatToGaza — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:43:49 +0000

Despite mounting international pressure, Israel contines to attack Gaza. The apartheid wall, the mounting death toll and the general disregard for human rights and international law characterize the current state of affairs.

We are a coalition of civil society members with diverse backgrounds who all believe that Palestinians have a right to self-determination and freedom of movement.

Ship to Gaza won in court -- Israel must return S/V Estelle

CanadianBoatToGaza — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:11:04 +0000

From an August 31 Press Release:

On August 31 an Israeli court issued a verdict in the case by Ship to Gaza Sweden against the Israeli government, regarding the rights to S/V Estelle. The verdict is all in favour of Ship to Gaza's complaint. It was when Ship to Gaza started the case with a demand to have the Estelle back, that the Israeli state replied with a demand to instead have the ship confiscated. However, the court rejected this, and instead confirmed the organisation's rights. In addition, the state of Israel will pay the legal expenses.

In Gaza, we're doing fine (a poem)

CanadianBoatToGaza — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:12:42 +0000

A poem by Gaza's Ark Steering Committee member, Montreal poet, Ehab Lotayef.

This is a poetic translation of Khaled el-Haber's Arabic song.

Why is Israel afraid of Gaza's Ark?

CanadianBoatToGaza — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:03:31 +0000

On July 11, 2 a.m. local time, Israeli warships fired on the Palestinian/international boat, Gaza's Ark, which burst into flames and was completely destroyed. We had been working on this project for over two years, buying on old fishing boat, the largest one we could find in Gaza, and converting it into a cargo vessel. It was due to sail out of Gaza in September, carrying goods from the occupied West Bank and Gaza to trade with the outside world, in an attempt to break the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Building this boat continued the movement to sail boats to and from Gaza and was also part of the much larger movement of non-violent resistance to the Israeli Occupation of Palestine.

Why was Gaza's Ark targeted by Israel?

CanadianBoatToGaza — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 21:14:21 +0000

After being kidnapped from international waters, imprisoned in Israel, then deported for being on the Canadian boat to Gaza challenging Israel's illegal blockage of the Gaza Strip in November 2011, I was only more determined to continue challenging that inhuman, unjustified and illegal blockade of a civilian population.

The shelling is continuous: Update from Gaza on day 4 of the attacks

CanadianBoatToGaza — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 20:13:58 +0000

Gaza – Friday, July 11, Day 4 of the attack

Where shall I start? How shall I start?

Shall I start with the numbers which keep increasing and changing? 90 killed, mainly civilians. 600 injured. 140 demolished homes. Or should I start by mentioning all the different areas of the Gaza Strip that have been constantly hit, day and night. Nonstop. If it is only about numbers, then let me tell you all about thousands of Palestinian children who are terrified night after night, day after day by the sounds of the Israeli shelling. The children have deep feelings of insecurity when it is dark. And no shelters.

Gaza Under Attack: Protests Across Canada

CanadianBoatToGaza — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 03:37:10 +0000

In communities across Canada, people will take to the streets to oppose Israel's violations of international law, and in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Here is a list of events shared by the Canadian Peace Alliance.

All of Gaza burns: Gaza’s Ark as well

CanadianBoatToGaza — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 03:24:43 +0000

During an attack on the port of Gaza, the area came under fire from the Israeli Occupation forces. At about 2:00 am local time Gaza’s Ark caught fire. The sustained Israeli assault prevented the civil defense fire brigade from extinguishing the blaze until approximately 3:30 am. When daylight comes to Gaza it may be possible to better evaluate the nature of the damage to the Ark and to nearby fishing boats.

Eyewitness report from Gaza: Gaza under attack - Day 1

CanadianBoatToGaza — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 18:46:34 +0000

Israel has launched another criminal attack against the civilian population of Gaza, with air-raids, rockets and missiles from land and sea and threats of a land invasion.

One of the heavily hit areas is the port of Gaza, where Gaza's Ark under repair, after it was sabotaged in late April. We have suspended work on Gaza's Ark to avoid unnecessary risks to workers and other individuals.

Dr. Mona El-Farra (Gaza's Ark Advisory Committee member and renowned Gaza activist) has written an eyewitness report on the attacks and their effects (see below).

Building hope: Palestinian producers receive payments for Gaza Ark exports

CanadianBoatToGaza — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 18:24:03 +0000

With their economy suffocated by the illegal Israeli blockade, Palestinians in Gaza suffer from massive unemployment, as well as ongoing Israeli attacks from air and sea. Economic strangulation is as deadly for Gaza as the renewed Israeli bombings. In recent days, however, we have begun to pay several producers for export goods sold to international buyers through Gaza's Ark.

Sabotage will not stop Gaza's Ark, nor the quest for freedom!

CanadianBoatToGaza — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 21:04:24 +0000

In the early hours of Tuesday, April 29th, the security guard on Gaza's Ark received a phone call. He was told that an explosion was about to go off, and to leave the boat immediately. The man ran for his life, and sure enough, five minutes later, a massive explosion ripped two holes in the hull, causing the boat to slowly sink and come to rest on the shallow bottom. Some one was doing their damnedest to prevent Gaza's Ark from breaking Israel's illegal blockade of Gaza.

The Ark had been almost ready to sail. A test run had been planned for the following week. The boat builders in Gaza had been working hard for over a year converting an old fishing boat into a cargo vessel, and done a magnificent job. Now their almost-finished work was wrecked.

Gaza's Ark on track to sail in 2014

CanadianBoatToGaza — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 22:25:43 +0000

In May of last year, with the help of thousands of individuals and organizations, we purchased a 25 meter long fishing boat in Gaza. In the last seven months we have employed tens of local workers who have skillfully worked to refurbish it in readiness to sail out of Gaza and challenge the blockade. You can see pictures and videos of Gaza’s Ark on our website.

Responsible and ethical holiday shopping: Consider joining the boycott of SodaStream

CanadianBoatToGaza — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 00:43:59 +0000

As you may already be aware, making your own carbonated beverages at home isn't necessarily as "green" and socially responsible as it's cracked up to be. SodaStream, the most widely available home-carbonation device in Canada, markets itself as a "green" alternative to buying these beverages in cans or bottles. It's also labelled "Made in Israel." Neither of these claims is true. If this is news to you, please read on.

How you can help the children of Gaza sail to freedom on Nov. 30

CanadianBoatToGaza — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 22:44:07 +0000

"You can help brighten a dark path. Lead the way and sail with the children of Gaza towards freedom," said Heba Hayek of Gaza, a member of Gaza's Ark committee.

On November 30, hundreds of Palestinian children will be reaching out to the world from the confines of the ever-tightening Israeli blockade of Gaza. In anticipation of the spring launch of Gaza's Ark, they will gather on the Mediterranean shore with mini-Arks, 40-cm long wooden model boats representing Gaza's Ark (prototype photo above), and send them off into the sea.

Remembering Gaza's dead, standing with the conscience of humanity when our government does not

CanadianBoatToGaza — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:12:55 +0000

There are pages. And pages of them. Too many to read. Well, just scan through and net it out: 150. That's a lot. But do what with them? Select filename and ... click the Checkbox, then Click Delete.

Your skin prickles a little, doesn't it? Then a little more. They're still there in the trash. Drag 'em out and have a closer look. Here's one: Mohammed Fo'ad Hjazi, 4. Four! Was he wearing his brother's hand-me-down sneakers and a T-shirt with silly cartoon on it?

Here's a 50-year-old. Did he sell car parts and smoke too much? Was he on the phone with his wife when the jets were streaking and the building was bombed?

Canadian Jim Manly still held in jail in Israel, new evidence of violence against Estelle exposed

CanadianBoatToGaza — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 02:24:47 +0000

As Jim Manly, former Canadian MP (1980-88) and retired United Church Minister, continues to be detained in Israel with many of the other crew members of the Estelle, without any news about when he will be released. This despite freeing the Greek, Italian and Spanish citizens who were on the Estelle and the release of Israeli activists after being detained and charged.

Elik Elhanan, one of the Israelis released, said that excessive force and tasers were used against them and that a Greek MP was beaten by Shabak Security Service interrogators.

My father, Jim Manly, must be released immediately

CanadianBoatToGaza — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:03:28 +0000

Jim Manly must be released immediately!

My parents want to raise awareness. My mother, Eva Manly has said she would like the media to focus on the Palestinians of Gaza, and that this story is not about my dad.

My parents concern is with all Palestinians and with the courageous Israeli Jews who work with them for justice. They are the reason for my parents involvement in the Gaza Ark. My father, Jim, spent some time with his youngest grandson just before leaving for Gaza. He said that this reinforced for him his conviction that all children have a right to grow up healthy and with the possibility of a future.

Noam Chomsky: The siege on Gaza 'is a criminal act that has no justification'

CanadianBoatToGaza — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 20:51:32 +0000

In response to a request by Gaza Action Ireland and the flotilla steering committee, the noted social activist and philosopher Professor Noam Chomsky has made the following statement tonight in relation to the hijacking by Israel of the SV Estelle and the ongoing blockade of Gaza:

I’m here in Gaza, I’ve been here for several days. I was here hoping to greet the latest boat from the Flotilla, the Estelle. We were waiting at the Gaza port.

The boat, like earlier ones, was hijacked by the Israeli navy. They call it Israeli territorial waters, it’s actually Gazan waters or international waters, Israel has no right to those waters.

The Estelle was another effort to break the siege, as in some way is our visit.

International concern for Jim Manly and the crew of the Estelle

CanadianBoatToGaza — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 16:49:48 +0000

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is concerned about the treatment of the Estelle crew by Israeli authorities.

The Estelle was attacked by the IDF at 10AM local time on Saturday.

Eighteen hours later the crew had still to meet consular representatives or lawyers. Circulating reports about the use of force and tasers during the attack on the Estelle increase our worries about the well-being of the crew members.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is also concerned about reports that Israeli crew members were transferred to Ashkelon prison and will face persecution.

Why former Canadian MP Jim Manly is on the Ship to Gaza

CanadianBoatToGaza — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 12:29:44 +0000

Where did the journey begin that led to my husband, former NDP MP Jim Manly, accepting the invitation to be the Canadian on board the Estelle, the Freedom Flotilla boat sailing for Gaza to break the blockade?

Our decision was a joint one, a result of 53 years of working together as a team and supporting each other in both individual and joint pursuits. When Jim and I first met, I was attracted to his sense of humour, his ability to think “outside the box”, and the fact he did not fit my stereotype of clergy! After all these years, we still make each other laugh and are still able to surprise each other.

Former Israeli Air Force combat pilot is on board ship bound for Gaza now

CanadianBoatToGaza — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:52:43 +0000

Israeli peace activist Yonatan Shapira, who had been a combat pilot in the Israeli Air Force and refused to take part in the bombing of Palestinian cities, has arrived on board the Swedish boat “Estelle” which is making her way towards the coast of Gaza. When the Estelle passed near the shores of Greece, Shapira and other activists made their way in a motorboat, evading vessels of the Greek Coast Guard which sought to bar their way. “Along with the Greek Coast Guard we saw a ship which seemed very much like an Israeli Navy vessel, though it did not fly a flag” said Shapira. He was received with cheers by activists already on board.

Israel threatens to board the Estelle, with former Canadian MP on board, in international waters

CanadianBoatToGaza — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:14:08 +0000

We received a message from the Finnish foreign department (the Estelle is sailing under a Finnish flag), that their Israeli counterpart informed them that the Estelle will be boarded on international water, and its passengers brought to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

"If the Israelis carry out their threat this would be another act of piracy and kidnapping to enforce the illegal and inhuman blockade of Gaza," said Irene MacInnes of the Canadian Boat to Gaza. "The world should not remain silent anymore," she added.

The Estelle is currently in international waters approx. 120 NM (Nautical Miles) from the shores of Gaza. Jim Manly, retired Canadian MP, is on board.

Estelle in our hearts, Gaza on our minds

CanadianBoatToGaza — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 14:51:07 +0000

It's funny stuff, marine paint: thick and gloppy, it sticks to painted metal to cover up rust patches, and also sticks to your hair, clothes and skin every chance it gets. Painting would not have been my activity of choice on an hot September afternoon at sea, but skipper Mika was adamant about dealing with rust spots on the Estelle, so that is what we did on some of my watches.

Former Canadian MP Jim Manly and parliamentarians from around the world sailing to Gaza

CanadianBoatToGaza — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:37:18 +0000

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition tall ship, The Estelle is on its way to Gaza carrying parliamentarians from Greece (Vangelis Diamandopoulos), Norway (Aksel Hagen), Spain (Ricardo Sixto Iglesias) and Sweden (Sven Britton); and a retired Canadian parliamentarian (Jim Manly - see his personal message below).

Also on board the Estelle now are citizens of Canada, Finland, Greece, Israel, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden. All are peaceful civilians committed to non-violence.

The Estelle carries a cargo of aid to the Israeli blockaded Palestinian population of Gaza, but above all it is carrying a cargo of solidarity.