RAMALLAH, July 2, 2011 (WAFA) – Palestinians Saturday condemned a decision by the Greek government banning a ship travelling with the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla II from sailing to Gaza.

The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations (PNGO), which represents hundreds of Palestinian civil society organizations, condemned in a statement issued Saturday the Greek measure, describing it as “unfortunate.”

It said it “considers this unfortunate Greek decision and procedure to be a response to the Israeli pressure and incitement campaign against the Freedom Flotilla 2, which holds hundreds of peace activists who are on a humanitarian mission in the framework of international law with a main aim of contributing to efforts to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian aid and building materials which the occupation still prevents from entering Gaza Strip due to the illegal siege, which the Israeli occupation has been imposing for the fifth year in a row.”

The Greek navy pursued the US ship that was supposed to meet other ships taking part in the flotilla after it left the port on Friday and ordered it to return to shore, claiming the ship did not obtain a clearance to leave the Greek port.