Update 6 June:

Israeli naval commandos boarded the Irish cargo ship MV Rachel Corrie attempting to bring humanitarian supplies to blockaded Gaza, with the peaceful compliance of Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire and the other nonviolent activists. Their attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza were stymied and they will be deported from Israel today, due to arrive in Dublin airport at 11.20am Monday morning.

See: Euro News, CNN and Free Gaza

The Nobel Women’s Initiative has issued a statement appealing to Israel to allow Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire and the rest of the crew aboard the MV Rachel Corrie to complete their peaceful mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”We’re not frightened, no,’ said Maguire “we hope the Israeli government will allow us to go freely in and we know the international community are calling for our safe passage.” The vessel is due to arrive in Gaza Saturday morning.

Read the full statement below.

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Statement – Freedom Flotilla & the MV Rachel Corrie
On Monday May 31 2010, a convoy of ships carrying human rights activists and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza was attacked by Israeli military forces. Despite this, two additional aid ships are determined to continue their peaceful mission, insisting their aim is not provocation but delivering aid to Gaza.
Our Sister Laureate, Mairead Maguire, is aboard one of these vessels. She and her fellow passengers on the Irish boat MV Rachel Corrie are members of peace organizations and are carrying a shipment of toys, medical supplies, cement and educational materials to help ease the suffering of the people of Gaza. The ship’s cargo has been inspected by the Irish authorities who confirm that there are no weapons or military supplies of any kind onboard. The Irish government has also asked the Israeli government to avoid any action which leads to further bloodshed.
Maguire said “We’re not frightened, no, we hope the Israeli government will allow us to go freely in and we know the international community are calling for our safe passage.”
We appeal to the Israeli government to allow the safe passage of our sister Laureate Mairead Maguire, all passengers and the vessel’s humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza, and urge the international community to join our appeal.

Download the pdf of the statement here.

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LEARN MORE

Listen to Interview on RTE Radio Ireland with Nobel Laureate Mairead Maguire here .

Russel Tribunal calls on international community to take measures against Israel’s violations of international law. Read the full statement here .

‘Irish aid boat ‘will break Gaza blockade’ Free Malaysia Today, 4 June 2010

‘Irish aid ship bound for Gaza won’t stop ‘unless forced to’ , CNN, 4 June 2010

‘Rachel Corrie on Her Way’ FreeGaza, 3 June 2010

TAKE ACTION

Stand in solidarity with the passengers of the MV Rachel Corrie. Add your name to the public statement of support here.

Join the call for truth, justice and accountability for Gaza.  Sign the Avaaz petition calling for an independent investigation into the flotilla attack here.

Join the call for an independent investigation into the flotilla attack here.