Yesterday we took on 12 more people who were on Challenger II that had mechanical difficulties. Amongst them is Anne Wright who is an ex US military colonel and ex diplomat who resigned over Iraq war, she said she got involved in campaigning for Gaza following the disproportionate use fo force used in bombing Gaza
We are anchored awaiting the other members of the group to join. People are playing chess, reading, studying, reporting. There is a live link area of the ship where satellite reports being made to various channels constantly. The press room is well equipped with around 20 internet enabled laptops. There is a restriction on press only on these machines and even accessing the room. We have three ships with us now we are awaiting three more.
We have onboard US citizen and Viva Palestina US team leader Fatima. She has brought with her a large suitcase of specialised medication for chemotherapy, respiratory illnesses and other conditions to the value of several thousand pounds.
I'm not censoring the violent or hateful comments made on these pages. It only goes to expose the hateful desperate people who make them - anonymously. I wonder if you have any idea how well organised and determined the mission is. There are many peaceful yet yfearless people onboard - cowardly commentators and armed combatants against a humanitarian aid flotilla? You've lost already.
Statement of the spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton on the flotilla saılıng to Gaza
The spokesperson of Hıgh Representative of the Unıon for Foreign Affaırs and Security Policy/Vıce President of the Commission Catherine Ashton issued the following statement today:
''We strongly urge that all involved act with a sense of restraint and responsibility and work for a constructive resolution. The EU remains gravely concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The continued policy of closure is unacceptable and politically counterproductive.
We would like to reiterate the EU,s call for an immediate sustained and unconditional openimg of crossings for the flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and persons to and from Gaza.''
Last night everyone got settled on the ship. Many people opted to sleep on deck. The tug boat took the ship to sea and she set off steadily and smoothly. We ate dinner from tinned meat and beans and people sat around talking or went to lie down. It has been a smooth and uneventful journey so far.
This morning coffee olives bread jam cheese and a stroll on deck and to visit the press suite where there are several laptops set up and connected via satellite. A journalist from Istanbul wrote a short piece on me and other flotilla members and he shows me the article and says it will be ok to put up some news on one of the laptops. I dont want to use up valuable bandwidth if media people are using it. The man in charge says its fine so here I am. On this keyboard I cant find the comma or the apostrophe so apologies!
The IHH ship Mavi Marmara is setting sail with 563 passengers onboard.
In addition to the 369 Turkish participants there are 194 others from 31 different countries sharing the facilities on the converted passenger ship.
There are 31 British participants, 32 Algerian including 10 MPs, 32 Jordanian including 1 MP, 16 Kuwaitis including 1 MP, 11 Malaysian, 11 Indonesian, 5 Israel residents of 1948 land including one female MP, 5 Bahrainian including 1 MP, 5 Moroccan including 1 MP, 4 Yemeni including 3 MPs, 4 Lebanese, 3 Belgian, 3 Spanish, 3 Macedonian, 3 German, 3 Australian, 2 Swedish, 2 Palestinian, 2 Egyptian both MPs, 2 Canadian, 2 Syrian, 2 Pakistani, 2 Mauritanian, 2 USA, 1 Kosovan, 1 Greek, 1 Irish, 1 South African, 1 French. In addition there is a previous Archbishop of Jerusalem named Archbishop Ilarion Kaputce who was imprisoned in 1974 in Israel convicted of assisting Palestinan resistance and he currently lives in exile in the Vatican. He was given a 12 year sentence in 1974 but was released to Rome after the Pope’s intervention on condition he never returned to Palestine.
The following media are represented onboard (journalists/ reporters):
Al Jazeera Arabic x 2
Al Jazeera English x 3
Al Jazeera documentary team x 3
El Quds x 1
El Aqsa TV x 1
Venezuela-Telesur TV x 1
Kuwait News Agency x 2
Press TV UK x 1
South Africa Radio 786 x 1
Al Hiwar UK 1 + 1
Gulf News Agency x 1
Indonesia TV One x 1
Indonesia The Brunei Times x 2
Indonesia Islamic Magazine, Suara Hidayatullah x 1
Indonesia Al Jazeera x 1
Indonesia Eramuslim Group x 1
AJ TV Pakistan x 2
Malaysia x 5
Jordan x 1
Spain x 2
In terms of cargo onboard the 2 IHH cargo ships these have been listed as follows:
The Ship ‘Gaza’
Cement – 2104 tons
Iron bars – 600 tons (8-12-14-16 mm diameter, 150 tons each)
Ceramic tile adhesive – 50 tons
The Ship ‘Defne Y’
Iron – 150 tons (for use in building pontoons and floats)
Power Units (5 units of 85kws – 2 units of 145 kws – 6 of 150 kws – 3 of 165 kws – 1 of 100 kws and 1 of 35 kws)
Power Units (80 units of 1-2-5 kws)
Prefab homes – 50 units of 58m2 and 40 units of 12.5 m2
Childrens’ playgrounds – 16 units (combined sets, seesaws and slides)
Medical equipment – Ultrasound Scan device, Electric patient bed, dentistry unit, Doppler echocardiography devices, wheelchairs, disabled electric mobility scooters, stretchers, deambulators, autoclaves, mammography device, microscopes, haemodialysis machines, radiology monitors, crutches, ENT Units, operating beds, gynaecological couches.
Medicines (a container load of assorted medicines)
Construction supplies including tiles, timber, fibreboard, cage, plumbing supplies, electric equipment, plastic window frames, glass, steel cables, measuring tools, hand carts, nails, mountings, bathroom fittings, paint, power distribution units, ladders, isolation materials,
Hardware supplies: electric hand tools, machines, ovens)
I'm sitting on the Mavi Marmara now - internet connection is currently available via the port building.
This afternoon the entire group gathered in the sports hall in Kepez Antalya and final arrangements were made, lists finalised, people coming and going. Some have to go due to other commitments but there seem to be masses that are still very much coming and the mood is very relaxed. IHH have arranged regular food for the participants and when I get back from town where I have failed to get two laptops, there is chicken soup, rice, melon and sweet fried dumplings available.
I meet up with Shaza who I shared a room with last night. She is from Syria and is a journalist/ writer. We are both hot and have spotted the showers at the sports centre. Thankful to be able to get a wash and change after running about all day. A short time later we will be leaving and the next hour is spent having some tea, trying to get online and meeting people. There are lots of cameras and journalists and I get my picture taken by an IHH journalist.
Before we get ourselves and our bags onto the coaches the whole group gathers together to pay respects to the lost IHH members Faruk Aktas and Bahattin Yildiz . It is moving to see the whole crowd assembled while prayers are said.
Brother Bulent the leader and presidet of IHH also addressed the room but unfortunately not in English but I know it would have been reassuring and motivating!
A coach ride to the port and a chaotic walk through the waiting crowds, through passport control and baggage check and onto the ship. Having problems getting pictures up here just now.
Last night I met a passenger - Archbishop Ilarion Kaputce. He is in charge of a church called Santa Maria in Rome and he lives in the Vatican. He was Archbishop in Jerusalem from 1964. In 1974 he was sentenced to 12 years in Israeli prison for the charge of helping the Palestinian resistance. He spent 4 years in prison in Israel. The Pope then intervened on his behalf and he was released to Rome. On arrival in Rome he discovered the condition of his release - he must never return to Palestine. He said if he had known this he would have rather stayed in prison.
He is coming on the ships to Gaza.
The archbishop is being looked after by a man called Nabil who I met and he introduced me. Nabil is instantly likeable with a sense of humour and lots of energy, he's been working on the upcoming Summer University of Palestine to be held in Lebanon in the last weekend of July.
