University of Kwazulu-Natal academic‚ theologian and activist the the Reverend Dr Clint Le Bruyn‚ is one of the South African members on board the Marianne ship forming part of the Freedom Flotilla III which has set sail from the European port in Greece en route to the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
The Freedom Flotilla III is a group of ships that is attempting to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza to deliver much needed humanitarian aid.
The Freedom Flotilla III is made up of three boats‚ with more than 50 crew and passengers from about twenty countries‚ including a former president‚ a Catholic nun‚ two writers‚ three parliamentarians‚ five reporters‚ a musician‚ six TV crews and one Israeli parliamentarian‚ Dr Basel Ghattas‚ Member of the Israeli Knesset.
Dr Le Bruyn is representing the National Coalition fo Palenstine (NC4P) and the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) on board the ship.
A similar attempt in 2010 by humanitarian activists‚ including one South African journalist‚ ended tragically when Israeli forces boarded the ships‚ allegedly while in international waters in violation of international law‚ killing nine unarmed activists. The South African government reacted to the 2010 Israeli killings of the humanitarian activists by withdrawing its ambassador from Israel for a certain period of time.
According to NC4P‚ the eight-year Israeli blockade‚ condemned by the United Nations as a violation of international law‚ has had a devastating humanitarian cost for the 1.8 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza‚ with Nobel peace laureate Archibishop Desmond Tutu calling it the world’s largest open air prison.
“Gaza’s only electricity plant was bombed last year by Israel‚ resulting in power outages of up to 18 hours a day. Israel refuses to allow spare parts and reconstruction material into Gaza to repair the facility‚” NC4P said in a statement.
Rev Frank Chikane‚ anti-Apartheid struggle icon‚ has come out in support of any peaceful way of to break the illegal Israeli occupation and Israeli siege of the Palestinian Gaza. Chikane is quoted as having said: “We cannot keep silent while Gaza suffers the dramatic consequences of eight years of blockade.”
He further urged Israel to end its illegal siege and allow the peaceful humanitarian ships of the Freedom Flotilla III to reach Gaza.
“The NC4P expresses its solidarity and support for the Freedom Flotilla III initiative. We further call on South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) to demand that the Israeli government and its armed forces allow the Freedom Flotilla and its passengers on board including South African citizen‚ Reverend Dr. Clint le Bruyns a safe passage into Gaza.
“Any attempt by Israel to obstruct its movement is a violation of international law‚” NC4P said.
The National Coalition for Palestine (NC4P) is an umbrella body representing over 40 South African civil society structures‚ ranging from trade unions to religious organisations‚ students groups‚ political structures and NGOs.
SA academic aboard ship attempting to break Israeli blockade on Gaza
University of Kwazulu-Natal academic‚ theologian and activist the the Reverend Dr Clint Le Bruyn‚ is one of the South African members on board the Marianne ship forming part of the Freedom Flotilla III which has set sail from the European port in Greece en route to the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
The Freedom Flotilla III is a group of ships that is attempting to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza to deliver much needed humanitarian aid.
The Freedom Flotilla III is made up of three boats‚ with more than 50 crew and passengers from about twenty countries‚ including a former president‚ a Catholic nun‚ two writers‚ three parliamentarians‚ five reporters‚ a musician‚ six TV crews and one Israeli parliamentarian‚ Dr Basel Ghattas‚ Member of the Israeli Knesset.
Dr Le Bruyn is representing the National Coalition fo Palenstine (NC4P) and the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) on board the ship.
A similar attempt in 2010 by humanitarian activists‚ including one South African journalist‚ ended tragically when Israeli forces boarded the ships‚ allegedly while in international waters in violation of international law‚ killing nine unarmed activists. The South African government reacted to the 2010 Israeli killings of the humanitarian activists by withdrawing its ambassador from Israel for a certain period of time.
According to NC4P‚ the eight-year Israeli blockade‚ condemned by the United Nations as a violation of international law‚ has had a devastating humanitarian cost for the 1.8 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza‚ with Nobel peace laureate Archibishop Desmond Tutu calling it the world’s largest open air prison.
“Gaza’s only electricity plant was bombed last year by Israel‚ resulting in power outages of up to 18 hours a day. Israel refuses to allow spare parts and reconstruction material into Gaza to repair the facility‚” NC4P said in a statement.
Rev Frank Chikane‚ anti-Apartheid struggle icon‚ has come out in support of any peaceful way of to break the illegal Israeli occupation and Israeli siege of the Palestinian Gaza. Chikane is quoted as having said: “We cannot keep silent while Gaza suffers the dramatic consequences of eight years of blockade.”
He further urged Israel to end its illegal siege and allow the peaceful humanitarian ships of the Freedom Flotilla III to reach Gaza.
“The NC4P expresses its solidarity and support for the Freedom Flotilla III initiative. We further call on South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) to demand that the Israeli government and its armed forces allow the Freedom Flotilla and its passengers on board including South African citizen‚ Reverend Dr. Clint le Bruyns a safe passage into Gaza.
“Any attempt by Israel to obstruct its movement is a violation of international law‚” NC4P said.
The National Coalition for Palestine (NC4P) is an umbrella body representing over 40 South African civil society structures‚ ranging from trade unions to religious organisations‚ students groups‚ political structures and NGOs.
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