Harbor-bound US flotilla activists stage hunger strike
American passengers of 'Audacity of Hope' camp outside US Embassy in Athens, say will continue protest measure until they are clear to sail to Gaza
The American passengers of the "Audacity of Hope," which was prevented from sailing to the Gaza Strip on Friday, have declared a hunger strike, Ynet learned Sunday.
The passengers are staging the strike outside the US Embassy in Athens, and demand Washington to advocate for their right to sail from Greece to Gaza.
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The activists also demand that the US pressure Greece into releasing the "Audacity's" captain, who was arrested on Friday after setting sail sans the necessary permits.
A press release circulated by the activists said that they intended on spending the night outside the embassy.
Gretta Berlin, one of the American passengers, told Ynet that the activists will not cease their protest measures until both the captain and the boat are released.
Activist Ken Maiers added that 16 people were taking part in the hunger strike. "We are fasting for the liberation of Gaza, the liberation of the Palestinians, the liberation of the sail and our ship," he told Ynet.
The hunger strike has no definite deadline, he said, adding that the measure will be reconsidered again on Monday night.
The protesters (Photo: Reuters)
'Respect international law'
A statement by the Greek Foreign Ministry said that "Despite the request of the Secretary General of the United Nations, the recommendations of the EU… yesterday’s relevant appeal of the Quartet and the Greek Foreign Ministry’s urging not to participate in the flotilla attempting to break the Gaza blockade, certain groups of Greek and foreign citizens, without having received the necessary permission required according to the rules of safety, insisted to go through with the enterprise.
"In light of these developments and concerned primarily with the protection and safety of human life, the Greek Government decided to ban the departure from Greek ports of vessels with Greek or foreign flags bound for Gaza.
"Greece’s stance regarding the need to lift the Gaza blockade and to improve the humanitarian conditions in the area is known and remains unchanged. Greece’s positions of principle for the need to respect international law and not to resort to the use of force are also well known," said the statement.
"Greece, as it is widely known, actively supports the resumption of peace talks, which constitute the only road to a comprehensive and viable resolution of the Palestinian issue, with the creation of a Palestinian state that will coexist peacefully with the state of Israel. These positions have been made clear to all concerned parties.
"In this context, Greece reiterates its willingness and proposes to undertake the task of transporting the humanitarian aid, with Greek vessels or other appropriate means, through the existing channels… To this avail, Greece will come into immediate and direct contact with the UN and all the concerned parties, in order to render the mission feasible on behalf of our country.
"In this critical conjuncture, we should all demonstrate a sense of responsibility or assume entirely and exclusively the responsibility for our actions. The Government will act as it must in an orderly fashion and according to the laws of the State."
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