Two ships carrying 27 activists from five states, including the United States, set sail Nov. 2 from Turkey on their way to Gaza.
New York–based activists with the Center for Constitutional Rights said they did not announce the flotilla in advance in order to prevent U.S. and Israeli pressure on countries where their ships docked. The center has called for an end to the blockade on Gaza and said it supports flotilla efforts to end the isolation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
One of the organizers, Jane Hirschmann of Jews Say No! in New York City, pledged to send more ships to show solidarity with Gaza’s population, which she said was being imprisoned. “We shall not keep silent,” she said.
On board the ships are citizens from the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Austria, Denmark and the Palestinian Authority. They were hoping to reach Gaza shores Friday, Nov. 4, and representatives from the organization said the activists do not have weapons and do not intend to confront Israeli soldiers. — ynetnews.com