Maan News Agency, May 31, 2010
(click here for Arabic)
Two of a growing number of Israeli protesters at the port of Ashdod jumped into the sea Monday afternoon, calling for an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza and condemning the attack on the Freedom Flotilla.
Reporting from Ashdod, Mya Guarnieri said police had stopped a busload of protesters and told them to return to Tel Aviv. After half an hour being held up on the bus, the protesters joined a group that numbered 200 by 1:30.
Israeli’s gathered to voice dissent against the shooting death of at least ten Palestinian solidarity activists from some 40 nations on the Freedom Flotilla, as simultaneous protests erupt in other areas.
By 3pm, pro-army activists arrived at the port, waving Israeli flags and banners congratulating the Israeli army on the deaths, saying “All the honor to the army,” singing national songs and waving a banner with a photo of the ship saying “terror out,” as the protest appeared to lull. Border police followed the pro-army activists onto the scene, from where witnesses said they could see little of the action.
Media were also being kept away from the port, with cameras set up on a hill almost a kilometer away from the shore.
A second mass rally was called for 7pm in Tel Aviv, outside Israel’s Ministry of Defense, with activist Uri Averny calling together the Israeli left, saying “this night a crime was perpetrated in the middle of the sea, by order of the government of Israel and the IDF Command… A warlike attack against aid ships and deadly shooting at peace and humanitarian aid activists. It is a crazy thing that only a government that crossed all red lines can do.”
Israeli forces announced a state of high alert throughout the country and occupied Palestinian territories following their navy’s attack on the Flotilla, with Gaza crossings sealed and checkpoints expected to be operating at minimum capacity as reports say officials are considering sealing access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in light of Palestinian anger over the attack on the ships.
Guarnieri said that as protesters continued to arrive on the scene, police, border guards and naval officers appeared on the scene to corral demonstrators into a small area.
Speaking with Guarnieri upon arrival in Ashdod, Coalition of Women for Peace member Dalit Baum called the sea-raid of the boats proof that “Israel does not care about international public opinion, it’s time for the world to do something, for Israel to know that it can’t continue to enjoy economic and diplomatic support from the western world.”
Baum continued, saying “I think it’s very important for Israelis to be on these boats, I wish I could be there, I think this is a tremendous civic duty and I think if there is a chance that we can get closer to the people we should get as close as we can.”
About 50 protesters and media crews were gathered on the edge of the port, which is designated a closed military zone, preventing the group from meeting the boats, visible on the horizon.
Police observe Tel Aviv protesters
Guarnieri said one police van observing the gathering was joined by two others as activists arrived in a Tel Aviv’s Levinski garden, preparing to travel to the Port of Ashdod, and began questioning a bus driver preparing to transport the group.
“They were asking him his name and ID number, and questioning him as to who ordered the bus,” Guarnieri said, noting the driver was a Palestinian citizen of Israel.
Israeli activist Uri Averny said early on Monday that a protest would be held against the “bloody attack on the Gaza aid flotilla.” The demonstration was set to take place where the detained flotilla activists are held in Ashdod.
*Photo: Mya Guarnieri