Nobel Women's Initiative

Israeli naval vessels seized control of the French flagged Dignite /Al Karama – the final remnant of the planned “Free Gaza” flotilla. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) naval commandos boarded the ship in international waters with no resistance from the 16- passenger crew and transferred them to the Israeli port of Ashdod. 

A controversial new law passed on Monday despite concerted efforts by human rights and pro-peace groups to block it. The ‘Anti- Boycott’ law prohibits the boycott of businesses, universities, social and cultural institutions based in Israel and the illegal settlements.  

Greece has banned all boats participating in Freedom Flotilla II from leaving port because of the security concerns posed by potential Israeli retaliation.

Security forces stopped a boat trying to leave the southern island of Crete on Monday, and another carrying American activists trying to leave a port near Piraeus on Friday.

The French boat, Dignity/Karama, left the port of I'ile Rousse in Corsica, France on Saturday, becoming the first of ten Freedom Flotilla II boats to sail. In the coming days two cargo ships and seven other passenger boats will leave from various locations at undisclosed times, to meet Dignity and sail on to Gaza.

A propeller shaft was found broken on a ship that was scheduled to depart from Greece Monday. This was believed to be a deliberate attempt at sabbotage following threats from Israel to stop the safe passage of the flotilla, which will be delivering humanitarian supplies and carrying civilians from over 40 countries who intend to challenge Israel's blockade against Gaza.

Four women Nobel Peace Laureates have sent an open letter calling on United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to support the safe passage of the Freedom Flotilla II. The flotilla will be bringing much-needed humanitarian supplies to the people of Gaza in late June.

Mairead Maguire, Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, and Rigoberta Menchú Tum have asked the Secretary General to "support the people of Gaza with two key actions.  First, by appointing a representative to inspect and seal the cargo of the boats of the Freedom Flotilla II—thus assuring the Israeli government that the boats are carrying humanitarian supplies..." and to "call on all governments to support the safe passage of the Freedom Flotilla II."

Download the open letter here or read the full text below.

Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire has embarked on a fast as part of the Jewish Fast for Gaza. The Jewish Fast for Gaza is a group of Jews, rabbis and supporters who have undertaken a monthly day-long fast to draw attention to the conditions of the Palestinian citizens in Gaza and to show solidarity for their suffering. 

The Jewish Fast for Gaza is urging Israel to lift the blockade that is currently preventing humanitarian and developmental aid, goods, and services from entering Gaza. They also hope to encourage a dialogue between Israel, the U.S., the international community and Palestinians – and implore the U.S. government to facilitate a peaceful settlement between Israel and Palestine. 

Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire returned safely to Dublin on Monday after being held at a detention centre outside of Tel Aviv. Maguire was detained after Israeli naval commandos intercepted and illegally boarded the Irish cargo ship MV Rachel Corrie in international waters on Saturday. The ship, whose passengers included Maguire, former UN assistant secretary-general Denis Halliday and other Irish and Malaysian activists, was attempting to bring humanitarian supplies to blockaded Gaza.  

Though their attempts were stymied, they remain determined to step up their efforts to end the illegal blockade imposed by the Israeli government. Another aid flotilla will be making its way to Gaza within weeks.

Update 6 June: Israeli naval commandos boarded the Irish cargo ship MV Rachel Corrie attempting to bring humanitarian supplies to blockaded Gaza, with the peaceful compliance of Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire and the other nonviolent activists. Their attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza were stymied and they will be deported from Israel today, due to arrive in Dublin airport at 11.20am Monday morning.

See: Euro News, CNN

and Free Gaza

The Nobel Women's Initiative has issued a statement appealing to Israel to allow Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire and the rest of the crew aboard the MV Rachel Corrie to complete their peaceful mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza."We're not frightened, no,' said Maguire "we hope the Israeli government will allow us to go freely in and we know the international community are calling for our safe passage." The vessel is due to arrive in Gaza Saturday morning.

Read the full statement below.

The Nobel Women’s Initiative is deeply concerned by the detention of Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire and other human rights activists on the Free Gaza Movement mission to deliver aid to the people of Gaza by boat.  Israeli naval forces forcibly boarded the Free Gaza boat and detained the human rights workers on June 30th, 23 miles off the coast of Gaza. The activists have been detained in Israeli prisons since.

Write the Israeli Government, or the Israeli Embassy near you, and urge them to immediately release the activists and ensure the delivery of the humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

Read more about it here.

What You Can Do:

Write to the Israeli embassy closest to you.

CONTACT the International Committee of the Red Cross to ask for their assistance in establishing the wellbeing of the  human rights workers and help in securing their immediate release.