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SS Dignity attacked, diverted to Lebanon
Former U.S. congresswoman Cynthia McKinney is seen in front of boat before setting sail with boxes of medical supplies aboard, for Gaza from the Cypriot port of Larnaca, Cyprus, Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. Free Gaza Group organizers said their boat 'SS Dignity' would defy an Israeli blockade of Gaza and ferry 16 activists and 3 tons of Cypriot-donated supplies to help treat the wounded from Israeli air attacks against targets in the Palestinian territory.
(AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
(AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Free Gaza ship attacked by Israeli Navy, diverts to Lebanon but taking on water
Date: 30 / 12 / 2008 Time: 09:18
[Ma'anImages]
Bethlehem - Ma’an - The Free Gaza ship successfully landed and unloaded three tons of medical supplies in the Gaza Port Tuesday, but was assailed by Israeli Naval ships which opened fire on the vessel.
According to organizers of the movement one Israeli gunboat rammed into the SS Dignity on the port bow side heavily damaging the ship at approximately 5am. The Israeli army is reporting that the Dignity was on a collision course and did not alter their route despite warnings that the Gaza Strip was a closed military zone and entry would not be allowed.
Israeli warships are also reported to have fired into the water in front of the Dignity in an effort to prevent the ship from continuing on its way to the Strip. The attack was filmed by journalists on board the boat and the crew and passengers will report more extensively on the event once they reach Lebanon.
Dignity passengers and crew reported that the boat was taking on water and is experiencing engine troubles.
According to the Free Gaza statement the “Dignity was clearly in international waters, 90 miles off the coast of Gaza,” when it was hit by the Israeli boat.
The boat is now 40 miles south of Lebanon where the government has given permission for the boat to land and has promised to assist the passengers if needed. The crew reported that Cyprus sea rescue contacted the boat to offer assistance.
Israeli sources deny firing on the humanitarian vessel and claim the navy offered to assist the passengers of the ship. When the offer was declined the navy “escorted the ship until it exited the state’s territorial waters,” according to one Israeli news agency.
Early reports said the ship was able to dock in Gaza and unload supplies, though this is no longer certain.
***Updated 11:52 Bethlehem time
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=34389
Date: 30 / 12 / 2008 Time: 09:18
[Ma'anImages]
Bethlehem - Ma’an - The Free Gaza ship successfully landed and unloaded three tons of medical supplies in the Gaza Port Tuesday, but was assailed by Israeli Naval ships which opened fire on the vessel.
According to organizers of the movement one Israeli gunboat rammed into the SS Dignity on the port bow side heavily damaging the ship at approximately 5am. The Israeli army is reporting that the Dignity was on a collision course and did not alter their route despite warnings that the Gaza Strip was a closed military zone and entry would not be allowed.
Israeli warships are also reported to have fired into the water in front of the Dignity in an effort to prevent the ship from continuing on its way to the Strip. The attack was filmed by journalists on board the boat and the crew and passengers will report more extensively on the event once they reach Lebanon.
Dignity passengers and crew reported that the boat was taking on water and is experiencing engine troubles.
According to the Free Gaza statement the “Dignity was clearly in international waters, 90 miles off the coast of Gaza,” when it was hit by the Israeli boat.
The boat is now 40 miles south of Lebanon where the government has given permission for the boat to land and has promised to assist the passengers if needed. The crew reported that Cyprus sea rescue contacted the boat to offer assistance.
Israeli sources deny firing on the humanitarian vessel and claim the navy offered to assist the passengers of the ship. When the offer was declined the navy “escorted the ship until it exited the state’s territorial waters,” according to one Israeli news agency.
Early reports said the ship was able to dock in Gaza and unload supplies, though this is no longer certain.
***Updated 11:52 Bethlehem time
http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=34389
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[ 30/12/2008 - 04:24 PM ]
BEIRUT, (PIC)-- An Israeli navy gunboat on Tuesday deliberately crashed into the front part of the "Dignity" boat that was carrying international sympathizers and doctors from Cyprus to Gaza along with medical supplies and forced it to retreat.
Media sources on board the "Dignity" reported that the Israeli occupation forces' naval units blocked entry of "dignity" into Palestinian territorial waters and destroyed its bow.
Amjad Al-Shawa, spokesman for the network of private institutions, said from aboard "Dignity" that a number of IOF gunboats were surrounding it in international waters.
He added that "Dignity" was forced to divert its destination and was seeking the nearest possible harbor in view of the damage.
He warned that lives of the crew and members of the team on board were in danger, and held the IOF fully responsible for their safety.
Shawa said that the cargo includes three tons of medicine other than four doctors and a number of foreign activists.
The Hebrew radio said that the boat could not move on its own and was stranded at sea in front of the Haifa port after its engines were damaged in the crash.
However, the boat managed to enter the Lebanese regional waters later on and docked at Tyre harbor.
BEIRUT, (PIC)-- An Israeli navy gunboat on Tuesday deliberately crashed into the front part of the "Dignity" boat that was carrying international sympathizers and doctors from Cyprus to Gaza along with medical supplies and forced it to retreat.
Media sources on board the "Dignity" reported that the Israeli occupation forces' naval units blocked entry of "dignity" into Palestinian territorial waters and destroyed its bow.
Amjad Al-Shawa, spokesman for the network of private institutions, said from aboard "Dignity" that a number of IOF gunboats were surrounding it in international waters.
He added that "Dignity" was forced to divert its destination and was seeking the nearest possible harbor in view of the damage.
He warned that lives of the crew and members of the team on board were in danger, and held the IOF fully responsible for their safety.
Shawa said that the cargo includes three tons of medicine other than four doctors and a number of foreign activists.
The Hebrew radio said that the boat could not move on its own and was stranded at sea in front of the Haifa port after its engines were damaged in the crash.
However, the boat managed to enter the Lebanese regional waters later on and docked at Tyre harbor.
For more information:
http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/en/default...
An Israeli patrol vessel rammed a boat of Palestinian activists carrying a shipment of medical aid that tried to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip. The "Dignity"—that sailed from Cyprus on Dec 29 2008—was ordered to turn around, and warning shots were fired across its bow, but the vessel nevertheless tried to navigate around the patrol boat which blocked its passage. There were no reported casualties in the collision, but both vessels suffered damage. Free Gaza Movement boat was carrying 3 1/2 tons of medical aid with 16 people aboard among them three doctors to help treat the more than 1,400 wounded in recent days. The boat was shot at while in international waters about 70-80 miles off Gaza by Israeli naval vessel. Photo courtesy of alarabiya.net
12/30/2008 4:25:17 PM
Zionist regime's navy rammed a boat loaded with medical supplies that was trying to break its blockade of the Gaza Strip, the pro-humanity center operating the vessel
said Tuesday.
The 20-metre (66-foot) Dignity was trying to take three tonnes of medical supplies into Gaza on day four of horrendous Zionist air strikes on the Palestinian territory.
The Free Gaza Movement, which has ran the blockade six times since August to take humanitarian supplies into Gaza, said the
vessel could still sail after the ramming, but was forced to sail back.
Paul Laurdee, one of the group's founders, told AFP the Dignity had been surrounded in international waters about 70 kilometres (45 miles) off the Israeli coast and 135 kilometres from Gaza.
"It was surrounded by 11 Israeli naval vessels," he said.
"They ordered the boat to stop, and we didn't. They began firing over our boat and into the waters next to the boat. When the boat wouldn't turn back, one of the naval vessels rammed the boat, but not enough to disable the boat."
On its website, the Free Gaza Movement said the Dignity was on a mission of mercy carrying three tonnes of medical supplies
donated by the people of Cyprus, from where it set off on Monday.
http://english.iribnews.ir/NewsBody.aspx?ID=949
Zionist regime's navy rammed a boat loaded with medical supplies that was trying to break its blockade of the Gaza Strip, the pro-humanity center operating the vessel
said Tuesday.
The 20-metre (66-foot) Dignity was trying to take three tonnes of medical supplies into Gaza on day four of horrendous Zionist air strikes on the Palestinian territory.
The Free Gaza Movement, which has ran the blockade six times since August to take humanitarian supplies into Gaza, said the
vessel could still sail after the ramming, but was forced to sail back.
Paul Laurdee, one of the group's founders, told AFP the Dignity had been surrounded in international waters about 70 kilometres (45 miles) off the Israeli coast and 135 kilometres from Gaza.
"It was surrounded by 11 Israeli naval vessels," he said.
"They ordered the boat to stop, and we didn't. They began firing over our boat and into the waters next to the boat. When the boat wouldn't turn back, one of the naval vessels rammed the boat, but not enough to disable the boat."
On its website, the Free Gaza Movement said the Dignity was on a mission of mercy carrying three tonnes of medical supplies
donated by the people of Cyprus, from where it set off on Monday.
http://english.iribnews.ir/NewsBody.aspx?ID=949
The crew of the vessel SS Dignity along with journalists, raise their hands before a press conference at the Lebanese journalist syndicate in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008. The boat carrying international peace activists and medical supplies to the embattled Gaza Strip sailed into a Lebanese port on Tuesday — after being turned back and damaged by the Israeli navy, organizers of the trip said.
(AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
(AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)
Hundreds of Arab-Americans and others gather in Dearborn, Mich, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 during a protest against Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
------------------------------------------
By BEN LEUBSDORF, Associated Press Writer Ben Leubsdorf, Associated Press Writer – 37 mins ago AP – Hundreds of Arab-Americans and others gather in Dearborn, Mich, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 during a protest …
DEARBORN, Mich. – Close to 1,000 Arab-Americans and others marched through the Detroit suburb of Dearborn on Tuesday evening, waving Palestinian flags and shouting slogans to protest Israeli military strikes against the Gaza Strip.
Protesters braving 30-degree weather filled eight blocks of a major thoroughfare in Dearborn, widely seen as the heart of Arab America. Hundreds more gathered in New York City outside the Israeli consulate.
Since Saturday, 374 Palestinians have died in the Israeli air onslaught against Gaza's Islamic Hamas rulers. Most of the dead were members of Hamas security forces but the United Nations says at least 64 civilians have been killed.
The offensive came shortly after a rocky six-month truce expired. Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets and mortars at Israel before and during the Israeli offensive.
Marchers in Dearborn waved flags and carried signs condemning Israel and showing pictures of casualties of the fighting. One group of protesters carried a mock coffin decorated with pictures of dead and injured children and labeled "U.S. Tax Dollars at Work" and "Victims of Zionism."
Some marchers chanted in English, "Gaza, Gaza don't cry, Palestine will never die" and "Israel is a terrorist state."
Others chanted, in Arabic, "God is Great" and "a martyr is beloved of God."
One protester carried a sign saying "Dearborn, take your shoes off!" a reference to the action of an Iraqi protester who threw shoes at President George W. Bush during his recent visit to Iraq.
Southeastern Michigan is home to around 300,000 people with roots in the Arab world, the result of more than a century of immigration.
About 50 people gathered Tuesday on the University of Michigan-Flint campus to protest the Israeli attacks, The Flint Journal reported.
Outside the Israeli consulate in Manhattan, protesters Tuesday waved Palestinian flags and chanted "Free Palestine."
Demonstrator Dalia Mahmoud said she was "shocked" at Israel's actions and that it was "punishing an entire population for the actions of a few."
Police barricades separated the protesters from a smaller pro-Israel rally across the street, where one demonstrator carried a sign reading "Israel must defend itself."
A few miles south at City Hall, Israeli Consul General Asaf Shariv met with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, displaying for reporters an exploded rocket that killed an Israeli woman out for a walk.
"We are obligated to defend our people, and that is what we are doing," Shariv said.
Bloomberg voiced his support.
"I can only think what would happen in this country if somebody was lobbing missiles onto our shores or across the border," he said.
The Dearborn protest was organized by the Congress of Arab American Organizations. Group spokesman Osama Siblani, who is also publisher of the Arab American News, said it was the first in a series of actions being planned in response to the Gaza fighting, including a candlelight vigil for peace and a petition calling for a cease-fire.
"There is disappointment and anger in our community and we need to express it toward the current U.S. administration that has given a blank check to the Israelis," Siblani said.
A memorial service for victims of the fighting scheduled for Tuesday was delayed because the reception hall could not fit all the protesters.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081231/ap_on_re_us/us_israel_palestinians_protest_3
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
------------------------------------------
By BEN LEUBSDORF, Associated Press Writer Ben Leubsdorf, Associated Press Writer – 37 mins ago AP – Hundreds of Arab-Americans and others gather in Dearborn, Mich, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 during a protest …
DEARBORN, Mich. – Close to 1,000 Arab-Americans and others marched through the Detroit suburb of Dearborn on Tuesday evening, waving Palestinian flags and shouting slogans to protest Israeli military strikes against the Gaza Strip.
Protesters braving 30-degree weather filled eight blocks of a major thoroughfare in Dearborn, widely seen as the heart of Arab America. Hundreds more gathered in New York City outside the Israeli consulate.
Since Saturday, 374 Palestinians have died in the Israeli air onslaught against Gaza's Islamic Hamas rulers. Most of the dead were members of Hamas security forces but the United Nations says at least 64 civilians have been killed.
The offensive came shortly after a rocky six-month truce expired. Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets and mortars at Israel before and during the Israeli offensive.
Marchers in Dearborn waved flags and carried signs condemning Israel and showing pictures of casualties of the fighting. One group of protesters carried a mock coffin decorated with pictures of dead and injured children and labeled "U.S. Tax Dollars at Work" and "Victims of Zionism."
Some marchers chanted in English, "Gaza, Gaza don't cry, Palestine will never die" and "Israel is a terrorist state."
Others chanted, in Arabic, "God is Great" and "a martyr is beloved of God."
One protester carried a sign saying "Dearborn, take your shoes off!" a reference to the action of an Iraqi protester who threw shoes at President George W. Bush during his recent visit to Iraq.
Southeastern Michigan is home to around 300,000 people with roots in the Arab world, the result of more than a century of immigration.
About 50 people gathered Tuesday on the University of Michigan-Flint campus to protest the Israeli attacks, The Flint Journal reported.
Outside the Israeli consulate in Manhattan, protesters Tuesday waved Palestinian flags and chanted "Free Palestine."
Demonstrator Dalia Mahmoud said she was "shocked" at Israel's actions and that it was "punishing an entire population for the actions of a few."
Police barricades separated the protesters from a smaller pro-Israel rally across the street, where one demonstrator carried a sign reading "Israel must defend itself."
A few miles south at City Hall, Israeli Consul General Asaf Shariv met with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, displaying for reporters an exploded rocket that killed an Israeli woman out for a walk.
"We are obligated to defend our people, and that is what we are doing," Shariv said.
Bloomberg voiced his support.
"I can only think what would happen in this country if somebody was lobbing missiles onto our shores or across the border," he said.
The Dearborn protest was organized by the Congress of Arab American Organizations. Group spokesman Osama Siblani, who is also publisher of the Arab American News, said it was the first in a series of actions being planned in response to the Gaza fighting, including a candlelight vigil for peace and a petition calling for a cease-fire.
"There is disappointment and anger in our community and we need to express it toward the current U.S. administration that has given a blank check to the Israelis," Siblani said.
A memorial service for victims of the fighting scheduled for Tuesday was delayed because the reception hall could not fit all the protesters.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081231/ap_on_re_us/us_israel_palestinians_protest_3
Lebanese fishermen look at the damaged vessel SS Dignity in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008. A boat carrying international peace activists and medical supplies to the embattled Gaza Strip sailed back into a Lebanese port on Tuesday — after being turned back and damaged by the Israeli navy, organizers of the trip said.
(AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
(AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
"Dignity", a boat damaged by an Israeli naval ship, arrives at the port city of Tyre in south Lebanon December 30, 2008. A small boat carrying international activists with aid for Gaza docked in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre on Tuesday after a clash with an Israeli naval ship forced it to divert to Lebanon.
REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON)
REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON)
Sudanese Sami al-Hajj, right, a cameraman for the pan-Arab Al-Jazeera Television who spent six years in U.S. custody at Guantanamo Bay before being freed earlier this year, is welcomed after arriving aboard the vessel SS Dignity, from the group Free Gaza, in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008. A boat carrying international peace activists and medical supplies to the embattled Gaza Strip sailed back into a Lebanese port on Tuesday — after being turned back and damaged by the Israeli navy, organizers of the trip said.
(AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
(AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
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