ATHENS (PIC)– A Swedish-Norwegian ship has managed to set sail to Gaza as the second ship on Freedom Flotilla II despite an official ban that Greek authorities have enforced on the flotilla’s vessels the European campaign to end the siege on Gaza has reported.
That was after the crew managed to repair the ship’s propeller which was sabotaged by men suspected of having links with the Israeli Mossad.
The ECESG a key flotilla organizer said in a press statement that technicians have repaired the damage and the crew has been able to meet onerous conditions Greek authorities have set on the ship’s sailing to Gaza to challenge Israel’s maritime siege of the tiny coastal enclave.
The ship will join another ship from France dubbed “Dignity” which is currently on its way to the Strip to deliver humanitarian aid.
Among the activists on board the Swedish-Norwegian ship is member of Swedish parliament Amin Jabir.
The ship departed Wednesday evening from a Greek port and will move to another port in the country ahead of its sailing to Gaza. Before it sailed activists and Greek politicians celebrated its departure.
The ECESG headquartered in Brussels has accused Israel of sending elements to try and kill activists on board by inducing technical difficulties that would cause the ship to explode.
The accusation was based on a report by the technicians who repaired the ship’s damage. The report said the damage was intended to cause an explosion.
Israel has threatened to use military force to stop the ships should they breach its blockade of the Gaza Strip. But it has been trying to avoid such measures by taking alternative steps to thwart the ships before they set sail in a bid to save face in front of the international community.
The Israeli navy intercepted the original Gaza flotilla in May 2010 killing nine activists on board.
