ISTANBUL, May 22, 2010 (WAFA)- Three ships carrying international activists left Turkey on Saturday en route to Gaza's shore, as part of a flotilla organized by the Free Gaza Movement – meant to draw supporters from all over the world to the Gaza Strip.
The convoy will attempt to dock in Gaza. The project is partly funded by IHH –a Turkish pro-Palestinian organization that had one of its members arrested in Israel recently.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told organizers of a sail to Gaza Tuesday that he would support them in their efforts to 'break the oppressive siege on the Gaza Strip.'
The last of three vessels left Istanbul Saturday and was making its way to Greece, where the organizers said a few hundred activists were waiting to board it. The participants will bring with them some 10,000 tons of various products for the residents of the Strip.
One of the ships slated to arrive from Ireland is named after Rachel Corrie, a left-wing activist who was trampled to death by an Israeli army bulldozer in Rafah. Recently, a Ramallah street was also named after the late activist.
The ship, currently docked in Portugal, is carrying cement – a product that was banned from entering Gaza according to a decision made by Israel as part of its blockade on Gaza.
