By Countercurrents.org
21 October, 2012
@ Countercurrents.org
The Associated Press reports: Israeli troops on Saturday commandeered a Gaza-bound ship that tried to break through Israel’s blockade of the Hamas-ruled seaside strip, the military said. European lawmakers and other pro-Palestinian activists aboard did not resist, and the Finnish-flagged vessel was diverted to an Israeli port.
The voyage by the ship, Estelle, marked the latest challenge to the air, land and sea embargo of Gaza that Israel imposed after the Islamic militant Hamas group seized the territory in 2007. Israeli officials say they need to enforce the blockade to prevent weapons smuggling.
Six Israeli naval vessels stopped the Estelle when it was about 30 nautical miles from Gaza, and masked soldiers boarder the ship and ordered it to sail to Israel’s Ashdod port, said Victoria Strand, a spokeswoman for the activists.
The Swedish-owned Estelle left Naples, Italy, on Oct. 7 with about 30 people from eight countries, including lawmakers from Norway, Sweden, Greece and Spain, as well as Israeli activists and a 79-year-old former legislator from Canada.
NEWS UPDATE #ESTELLE | -Israeli Estelle passengers report extreme violence. 2 Greek parliamentarians severely attacked. Blackhawk helicopters and hundreds of soldiers.
-The Israeli Estelle passengers were in the courtroom for 3 minutes. Once they started telling media about Israel army violence they were taken out, and brought back only when the judge came in. The judge decided to leave them in custody for an additional 48 hours
-Judge decided to leave Israeli #Estelle passengers in custody for an additional 48 hours
-The Israeli activists arrested on the Estelle are being charged with violating Disengagement Law, incitement, incitement to rebellion and aiding the enemy. International activists were taken to Hulon and there a reports coming through that Israel has already started to “deport”/”expel” them
~SPECIAL THANKS to Israeli Activist Tali Shapiro for providing these updates from Ashkelon Courthouse~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWjbP_8nllE&feature=player_embedded
Paul Manly Writes On His Father’s Behalf
Dear members of the media
I am writing to follow up on my last email. My father, Jim Manly is in Israeli custody. The Estelle was attacked in International waters around 4:30AM EDT. My dad, a retired United Church minister and former Member of Parliament is 79 years old (he turns 80 in 9 days). While he is in good health for his age, he is not as resilient as he was in his youth and has medication he needs to take daily. I hope that the Israeli Defence Forces respect his human rights and legal rights and treat him with the respect and dignity he deserves. Press release below.
For Immediate Release
Shortly after 4:00AM EDT when the Estelle was in international waters approx. 17 Nautical Miles north of Arish, Egypt (as per the last coordinates we have) Israeli war ships surrounded it and the assault on the peaceful ship started.
Communications were lost at that time and all reports we got from the ship were choppy.
Among others, the following individuals were on board:
Former Member of Parliament Manly James, Canada
Member of Parliament Hagen Aksel, Norway
Member of Parliament Britton Sven, Sweden
Member of Parliament Kodelas Dimitios, Greece
Member of Parliament Sixto Ricardo, Spain
Member of Parliament Diamantopoulos Evangelos, Greece
Full list of individuals onboard: http://shiptogaza.se/en/news/sailors-onboard-estelle
See Jim Manly’s pre-recorded video message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8egYBdf-Zo&feature=player_embedded
As pre his request please contact the Prime Minister and your local member of parliament and ask them to insist that the Israeli government respect the human rights and legal rights of those aboard the Estelle.
– Stephen Harper (Prime Minister of Canada)
613-992-4211
stephen.harper@parl.gc.ca
– John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs)
613-996-0984
john.baird@parl.gc.ca
Thanks
Paul Manly
paul@manlymedia.com
250 729-1254
THESE ARE THE SAILORS ON BOARD ESTELLE:
Member of Parliament Hagen Aksel Norway 10/04/1953
Member of Parliament Britton Sven Sweden 14/06/1938
Member of Parliament Kodelas Dimitios Greece 02/01/1979
Member of Parliament Sixto Ricardo Spain 07/01/1967
Member of Parliament Diamantopoulos Evangelos Greece 20/04/1980
Former Member of Parliament Manly James Canada 29/10/1932
Opperdoes Joel Arvid Alexander Sweden 1983-06-20
Andreasson Charles Bertil Sweden 1965-03-10
Särner Daniel Karl-Erik Sweden 1985-12-16
Uddebrant Johan Lars OS Sweden 1981-06-28
Widell Anders Nils Olof Sweden 1986-07-11
Reksten Herman Elias Norway 1989-10-06
Elhanan Elazar Israel 1977-04-01
Sjøstrøm Nils Johan Norway 1963-11-10
Koivisto Velimati Finland 1968-03-01
Hammervold Jan Petter Norway 1944-27-03
Feiler Dror Sweden 1951-31-08
Svenberg Kristian Sweden 02-07-1947
Boethius Maria-Pia Sweden 09/04/1947
Mor Reut Israel 09/08/1982
Jämiä Mika Finland 1959-09-06
Arau Crusellas Laura Spain 02/05/1980
Ramazzotti Stockel Marco Italy 17-09-1947
Shapira Yonathan Israel 12-02-1972
Tiktopoulos Mikhalis Greece 24/12/1946
Zabale Gouzalet BegoÒa Spain 09/01/1950
Stamellos Loukas Greece 22/06/1979
Piassas Evangelos Greece 02/04/1947
Gardell Mattias Sweden 10/08/1959
Vinthagen Stellan Sweden 13/10/1964