[PAA-Discuss] Fwd: [pacificaannounce] UPDATE ON CYNTHIA MCKINNEY AND FREE GAZA MOVEMENT SIEZED IN ISRAEL

[Bill Crosier]

See below for an update from Christine Blosdale of KPFK, about the seizure of a human rights ship with Cynthia McKinney and other human rights workers by Israel.

You'll probably be able to get more details and updates on Flashpoints at 7 PM CDT each day on KPFT's HD-2 channel, or online at http://stream.kpft.org/kpftHD2.m3u

To donate to the Gaza aid convoy being organized by George Galloway, go to:
http://www.vivapalestina-us.org/

Bill


>To: <pacificaannounce at yahoogroups.com>
>From: "Christine Blosdale" <cblosdale at kpfk.org>
>Sender: pacificaannounce at yahoogroups.com
>Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:30:11 -0700
>Subject: [pacificaannounce] UPDATE ON CYNTHIA MCKINNEY AND FREE GAZA MOVEMENT SIEZED IN ISRAEL
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>I just spoke with Cynthia McKinney's assistant at 1:21 PM PT
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>He said that at this time, Cynthia McKinney is still being held prisoner in Israel along with the other human rights workers.
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>The Greek government is demanding the release of the humanitarian workers and the crew as well as the boat.
>A News Report on Greece's reaction is listed belowŠ
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>Below are media contacts for you to call for the latest updates.
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>- Christine Blosdale
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>Senior Producer KPFK 90.7FM
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>[23 miles off the coast of Gaza, 15:30pm] - Today Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (see below for a complete list of passengers). The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.
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>MEDIA CONTACT:
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>Greta Berlin (English)
>tel: +357 99 081 767 / friends at freegaza.org
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>Caoimhe Butterly (Arabic/English/Spanish):
>tel: +357 99 077 820 / sahara78 at hotmail.co.uk
>www.FreeGaza.org
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>IF PEOPLE WANT TO CALL ISRAEL'S REPRESENTATIVES IN THE U.S.:
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>CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Justice
>tel: +972 2646 6666 or +972 2646 6340
>fax: +972 2646 6357
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>CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
>tel: +972 2530 3111
>fax: +972 2530 3367
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>CONTACT Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
>tel: +972 5 0620 3264 or +972 2670 5354
><mailto:mark.regev at it.pmo.gov.il>mark.regev at it.pmo.gov.il
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>Greece Asks Israel To Release Activists' Ship Bound For Gaza
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>ATHENS (AFP)--Greece asked Israel Tuesday to release a Greek-flagged ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists bound for Gaza that was seized by the Israeli navy.
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>"As soon as we heard that the Greek-flagged vessel Arion was seized we remonstrated with the Israeli side and asked for the ship, the crew and the passengers to be released immediately," Greek foreign ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras said in a statement.
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>"As we have said in the past, all legal activity by non-governmental organizations must enjoy freedom," Delavekouras said. He said there are no Greek citizens on board.
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>The Israeli military said the ship was sailing to Gaza to protest the Israeli blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory.
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>The boat was sent by the U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement, which said it was carrying a "symbolic" cargo of humanitarian aid to pressure governments and international relief groups to do more to rebuild Gaza.
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>Activists have made five successful missions to Gaza from Cyprus since August 2008 - but boats have been turned back twice by Israeli forces.
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>An Israeli military spokesman said the vessel was towed toward the nearby Israeli port of Ashdod, adding that the activists on board would be handed over to authorities.
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>He said no shots were fired during the incident.
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>The Greek foreign ministry has warned about the dangers involved in forcing the Israeli militarized zone in the waters off Gaza, Delavekouras said.
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-- 
Bill Crosier
paa at crosierbiomed.com      713-641-4941
Progressive Action Alliance   http://progressiveactionalliance.org/
KPFT - Radio for Peace - 90.1 FM Houston   http://kpft.org