[van-announce] Canadian boat 'Tahrir' will sail to help end Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza

[Derrick O'Keefe]

*For immediate release* 

May 5, 2011

Canadian boat 'Tahrir' will sail to help end Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza 

http://tahrir.ca 
The Canadian Boat to Gaza campaign announces today the 
successful conclusion of arrangements to purchase and register a boat to
 carry the Canadian delegation to Gaza. The boat’s name Tahrir (Liberation in
 Arabic) has been chosen to honour the square in Cairo that was the 
focus of the democratic uprising that has spread hope across the Middle 
East. 


The Tahrir will sail with vessels from France, USA, UK, 
Ireland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, and other countries,
 as part of the Freedom Flotilla II. This international 
movement in solidarity with the Palestinian people turns the spotlight 
on the blockade of Gaza and its 1.6 million residents whose access to 
resources and ability to travel has been unilaterally impeded by the 
illegal Israeli blockade.
Fundraising for this campaign has been shared by thousands of 
Canadians from coast to coast to coast, and with the momentum building 
for this project we expect to secure the remaining amount needed over 
the next few weeks of fundraising. “We have been overwhelmed by the 
generosity of individuals and groups across the country” said Wendy 
Goldsmith of the Canadian Boat to Gaza Fundraising Committee, adding 
that “we are sure that with our boat now a reality, the community 
support will come through to raise the remaining funds needed.”

The 25-metre Tahrir will carry approximately 45 people: 
delegates from across the country, high profile Canadians plus 
journalists. As well, the Canadian campaign has partnered with campaigns
 from other countries and will carry delegates from Australia, Belgium 
and Denmark. A new website tahrir.ca was launched today to coincide with news of the boat’s purchase and will be the site for online donations.

Despite news that Egypt plans to open the Rafah border crossing, the 
maritime blockade by Israel remains a major obstacle to achieving normal
 life in Gaza. The Canadian Boat to Gaza and the Freedom Flotilla 
movement will continue our work until the Port of Gaza is opened to 
ensure free circulation of goods and people. “Gaza is the only port on 
the Mediterranean which is closed to shipping and the only coastal area 
in the world which cannot access its own territorial waters,” points out
 David Heap of the CBG steering committee. “Until the Palestinians of 
Gaza can travel freely and trade with the world, we will continue to 
challenge this illegal military blockade.”

As the Israeli government continues to threaten the use of force against the Freedom Flotilla II,
 we call on all Canadians, including Members of Parliament from all 
parties, to join with us in demanding that the Canadian government take 
concrete steps to guarantee the safety of humanitarians headed to Gaza. 
“My heart is with the participants in the Canadian boat to Gaza in this 
important initiative for freedom and justice for Palestine. I urge the 
Canadian government to do all it can to prevent Israeli aggression 
against the flotilla and the activists aboard the boats,” said Jewish 
Holocaust survivor and Palestine rights activist Suzanne Weiss in 
Toronto.
The world is watching: we will not be intimidated and we will not forget the Palestinians of Gaza. 

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