Nobel Women's Initiative

(Kampala)

On Monday, May 31, 2010, a convoy of ships carrying human rights
activists and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza was attacked
by Israeli military forces. Despite this, two additional aid ships
are determined to continue their peaceful mission, insisting their
aim is not provocation but delivering aid to Gaza.

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Our Sister Laureate, Mairead Maguire, is aboard one of these vessels.
She and her fellow passengers on the Irish boat MV Rachel Corrie
are members of peace organizations and are carrying a shipment
of toys, medical supplies, cement and educational materials to
help ease the suffering of the people of Gaza. The ship's cargo
has been inspected by the Irish authorities who confirm that
there are no weapons or military supplies of any kind onboard.
The Irish government has also asked the Israeli government to
avoid any action which leads to further bloodshed.

Maguire said "We're not frightened, no, we hope the Israeli
government will allow us to go freely in and we know the
international community are calling for our safe passage."

We appeal to the Israeli government to allow the safe passage
of our sister Laureate Mairead Maguire, all passengers and the
vessel's humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza, and urge the
international community to join our appeal.

Sincerely,
Jody Williams
Betty Williams
Rigoberta Menchu Tum
Shirin Ebadi
Wangari Maathai

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