BARCELONA (PIC)– The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced the next port of call for the two boats the Amal (Hope) and Zaytouna (Olive) slated to leave Barcelona on September 14.
After they leave Barcelona on September 14 the boats will arrive in Ajaccio (Corsica France) on September 17.
The two boats will be moored in the Ajaccio harbor during their stay and will depart again for their last port of call before heading for Gaza.
A warm welcome is planned by the local Corsica-Palestina Association including boat visits meetings with local officials and more.
The women on board this mission aim at breaking the illegal and inhumane Israeli blockade on Gaza.
The list of passengers include Tunisian MP Latifa Habashi; Malin Björk a Member of European Parliament from Sweden; Ann Wright a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former U.S. diplomat who resigned in 2003 in opposition to the invasion of Iraq; and Dr. Fauziah Modh Hasan a Malaysian physician who has participated in many humanitarian missions with the Malaysian Medical Relief Society.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza declared that the illegal blockade of Gaza must end so that every person can live with freedom and dignity.
The women participants who differ for each leg of the journey represent over 15 countries across six continents.
While they come from very different cultural and professional backgrounds they all share a common bond and find the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of Palestine absolutely unacceptable.
Chairman of the Popular International Committee to Support Gaza Essam Youssef said the flotilla represents “a humanitarian cry in the face of an illegitimate siege imposed on an innocent people that has been calling for years on the international community for help.”
“The courage plucked up by female volunteers reflects an Arab and international awareness of the important role played by women in national liberation struggles” said Youssef.
“Women in Palestine have been paying a heavy price due to the occupation” he added.
According to Youssef what makes this flotilla special is the fact that it transgresses all political considerations and gathers women from all corners of the globe as global citizens of goodwill to speak up for people’s right to live in dignity.
“Palestine will remain the axis of struggle not just in the Middle East but also in the world. Achieving justice for Palestine is the key to stability in the region and the world” Youssef further stated.
The Women’s Boat to Gaza is an initiative of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition composed of civil society organizations and campaigns from more than a dozen countries.
