From a Report by Thomas Sommer-Houdeville
The Greek government has officially banned all the boats in the Flotilla bound for Gaza from sailing over the weekend (July 2). On July 3, the Greek Coast Guard also surrounded the US boat “Audacity of Hope” after it tried to sail. The Coast Guard, carrying weapons, boarded the boat and forced back the crew and passengers of the US boat to the harbor. The action of the Greek government is an indication that it has succumbed to pressures from Israel. The Flotilla members are now planning some kind of ‘symbolic action’.
According to news reports, “Pursuant to a decision by the Minister of Citizen Protection Mr. C. Papoutsis, the departure of ships with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gazahas been prohibited. By orders of the Hellenic Coast Guard Head Quarters to all local Hellenic Coast Guard Authorities, all appropriate measures are taken for the implementation of the said decision.” For more news reports on the incident and others related to the Flotilla, please find the links below.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/07/03/israel.gaza.flotilla/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/news/?q=Flotilla%20for%20Gaza
