Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire will sail to Gaza next week aboard the MV Rachel Corrie as part of the eight-vessel Freedom Flotilla. The flotilla will attempt to cross a port blockade instituted by the Israeli government in order to provide Palestinians with much needed supplies, including medical equipment, reconstruction materials and school supplies.

This is the eighth mission of the sort led by the Free Gaza Movement. Five have been able to deliver their supplies to Gaza, two have been stopped at the blockade.

Israeli authorities detained Maguire on a similar mission last year, when the ship she was on attempted to breach the blockade. This year, using intimidation tactics that are all too familiar to the Free Gaza Movement, authorities have given orders to prevent the ships from entering Gaza to deliver their aid — even if they have to resort to violence.

The Freedom Flotilla is an international effort supported by the Free Gaza Movement (FG), European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza (ECESG), Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), Ship to Gaza Greece, Ship to Gaza Sweden and the International Committee to Lift the Siege on Gaza.

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Israel’s Intimidation Tactics Won’t Stop Us: First Ship Sets Sail for Gaza, Free Gaza, 14 May 2010.

Nobel winner to join Gaza effort, Belfast Telegraph, 12 May 2010.