Americans organizing ship for new Gaza flotilla

Americans opposed to Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip are organizing a ship from the United States to take part in an international flotilla.

The flotilla, set to sail to Gaza in September or October, is expected to be made up of ships from India, Europe, Canada, South Africa and the Middle East. The U.S. organizers hope to name their ship the Audacity of Hope, after President Barack Obama’s second autobiographical book.

“From the deck of the Audacity of Hope, we will be in a powerful and unique position to challenge U.S. foreign policy and affirm the universal obligation to uphold human rights and international law,” organizers wrote on their website, UStoGaza.org.

They are trying to raise $370,000 through the website to pay for a ship, crew, and licensing and registration. They plan to carry 40 to 60 people on board.

Among the more than 70 people who have signed the appeal for money are Lara Lee, who smuggled out a video of the flotilla incident in May; author Alice Walker; and Michael Ratner, director of the Center for Constitutional Rights. — jta