Jewish boat to Gaza sailing soon

In a harbour in the Mediterranean a small vessel is waiting for a special mission. She will be sailing to Gaza during the second half of July. In order to avoid sabotage, the exact date and name of the port of departure will be announced only shortly before her launch.

"Our purpose is to call an end to the siege of Gaza, to this illegal collective punishment of the whole civilian population. Our boat is small, so our donations can only be symbolic: we are taking school bags, filled with donations from German school children, musical instruments and art materials", said Kate Leiterer, one of the organizers. "For the medical services we are taking essential medicines and small medical equipment, and for the fishermen we are taking nets and tackle. We are liaising with the medical, educational and mental health services in Gaza."

''In attacking the Freedom Flotilla, Israel has once again demonstrated to the world a heinous brutality. But I know that there are very many Israelis who compassionately and bravely campaign for a just peace. With broadcasting journalists from mainstream television programmes accompanying our boat, Israel will have a great chance to show the world that there is another way, a way of courage rather than fear, a way of hope rather than hate'', said Edith Lutz, organizer and passenger on the ''Jewish boat''.

The 'Jüdische Stimme' ('Jewish Voice' for a Just Peace in the Near East), along with her friends of EJJP (European Jews for a Just Peace in the Near East) and Jews for Justice For Palestinians (UK) are sending a call to the leaders of the world: help Israel find her way back to reason, to a sense of humanity and a life without fear. 'Jewish Voice' expects the political leaders of Israel and the world to guarantee a safe passage for the small vessel to Gaza, thus helping to form a bridge towards peace.

*An Irish aid ship, the Rachel Corrie, is expected to arrive in Gazan territorial waters at about 0900 local time (0600 BST) on Saturday. The boat is named after a young American peace campaigner who was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer.

Israel's foreign minister has said the boat will not be allowed to dock. Peace campaigners on board the boat say they will not put up any resistance. Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire is one of the activists on board.