MV FINCH to make Another Attempt to Enter Gaza

The boat reached Palestinian territorial waters Monday and was just 400 meters from land when it came under attack by the Israeli Navy.

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(MEDITERRANEAN SEA) - We have been informed by the Spirit of Rachel Corrie (registered MV Finch) of its intention to lift anchor and to once again attempt to enter Palestinian territorial waters with the intention of delivering its cargo directly to Gaza.

Despite our continuous communication with Egyptian authorities at the highest level and our efforts to negotiate the docking of our vessel at El Arish, we are deeply saddened by the lack of cooperation received.

All those on board were extremely concerned by the delay (of 7 days) in processing matters at El Arish and decided to lift anchor and once again head for Palestinian territorial waters.

The Spirit of Rachel Corrie is currently being forced by the Egyptian navy to leave its territorial waters; our vessel is currently directed towards international waters.

Perdana Global Peace Foundation PGPF supports the unanimous decision of all those on the vessel and admires the courage and determination of all those on board.

Spirit of Rachel Corrie has been at sea for the past 12 days and will now again attempt to break the illegal Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip.

The vessel left the Port of Piraeus, Greece on Wednesday, May 11 carrying 7.5 kilometers of UPVC (plastic) sewage pipes to help restore the devastated sewerage system in Gaza.

On Monday 16 May, the boat had reached Palestinian territorial waters and was just 400 meters from land when it came under attack by the Israeli Navy.

After coming under gunfire from the Israeli Navy, the boat was forced to divert to Egyptian waters; and later on the same day, anchored off El Arish Port where it remained for the last 7 days waiting for permission to dock.

The humanitarian initiative is sponsored by Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF) and participating in this mission includes anti-war activists and journalists, consisting of 7 Malaysians, 2 Irish, 2 Indians and 1 Canadian.

Source: http://www.perdana4peace.net/?p=2825