Gaza at last! A word from Mary in Gaza
I woke up this morning wondering if it was all a dream. And then I looked through the window and saw the harbor, and the fishing boats, and our two proud little boats, the FREE GAZA and the LIBERTY, bobbing gently in the Gaza breeze and I could finally believe we are here!
There are not enough words to describe the feelings we all had as we saw the shores of Gaza appear on our horizon, and then as we got closer and closer we were welcomed by the first of dozens of fishing boats, all crowded with cheering, waving Gazans who had waited since early morning for our arrival. Dozens of them jumped into the water and climbed aboard our boats, cheering and waving and hugging everybody, smiling and telling us “you are welcome.” I don’t know how so many members of our welcoming committee managed to crowd onto the two piers…. women, men, children, a band playing for us, police trying to control them as more of them jumped into the water to reach us.
“Free Gaza” boats arrive in Gaza in protest against Israeli siege
People’s Daily Online – 24 August 2008
Thousands of Palestinians started whistling and screaming on Saturday afternoon when two “Free Gaza” boats with peace activists arrived at Gaza City’s fishermen harbor in protest against Israeli siege.
Free Gaza boats arrive in Gaza in protest against Israeli siege
Flags of different countries, including Turkey, Germany, France, Cyprus, Britain, Lebanon and Greece, were seen fluttering on the two boats, which set off Friday from Cyprus. Slogan “Freedom for Gaza” and “We are coming” are written on one of the boats.
While approaching Gaza beach, the two boats released 5,000 balloons of four colors of black, red, green and white, which are the colors of the Palestinian flag.
Each of the balloons bears the slogan of “Free Palestine” and a drawing of the pigeon of peace, while several Palestinian flags fluttered on the two boats.
Several peace activists, a Holocaust survival and the sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair are on board. The two boats also carry medical hearing aids for deaf Palestinian children.
Thousands of Palestinians started whistling and screaming on Saturday afternoon when two Free Gaza boats with peace activists arrived at Gaza City
Update – hat tip:
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Peace protest boats arrive in Gaza – The Guardian
Israel allows blockade busting boats enter Gaza – Ha’aretz
On a mission to free Gaza – The Scotsman
Boats reach Gaza despite blockade – Al Jazeera
Activist boats reach Gaza Strip – BBC
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