Gaza marks 2010 Freedom Flotilla attack

One year and two days ago the Mavi Marmara and other Freedom Flotilla ships were attacked by Israel with deadly consequences.

The highly diverse international activists aboard the Mavi Marmara that was fatally attacked by Israel 31 May 2010

(GAZA Press TV) - It was just over a year ago that more than 700 activists from 42 countries aboard six ships, called the Freedom Flotilla, headed for Gaza on a humanitarian mission.

But Israeli soldiers descended on the ships and killed nine of the activists. The Palestinians dedicated a monument to the martyrs killed 31 May 2011, in international waters.

Addressing a large crowd of ministerial and national figures, Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas Prime Minister inaugurated the new memorla while laying a wreath of flowers.

He said:

"The Freedom Flotilla exposed the unjust nature of the siege. a siege; a siege that reflects hegemony and oppression. The UN chief should have called for the lifting of the siege and punishment of occupation leaders for their crimes."

Palestinian say they will accept nothing less than a full lifting of illegal blockade and siege of Gaza, and to all forms of violence and discrimination against them.

Speaking to Press TV at the Gaza Flotilla Memorial, Muhammad Kaya, head of IHH Relief Org.; which organized last year's flotilla, said:

"Today as we remember those killed brutally by Israel occupation forces, we say if the new flotilla is intercepted again, then the free and freedom loving people of the world will not remain silent and will continue to protect the Palestinian cause." Nils Anderson, a Swedish activist whose photos were featured in a special Salem-News.com report by Joe Catron in Gaza, said:

"I do really hope that the Israelis don't stop the flotilla as they did last year, because that's a crime."

Hamas official Ahmad al-Najjar, said:

"The first message is for the families of the Martyrs and the wounded persons; that the Palestinians, wherever they are; will never ever forget the sacrifices that were given to them. Those people who tried to come to the Gaza Strip in order to break the siege."

The next flotilla happens in June, and there are smaller efforts taking place frequently from volunteers of Muslim, Jewish and Christian activists who so desperately want to see freedom for Palestine.

We at Salem-News.com greatly appreciate Yousef's contribution for our readers. The siege of Gaza is one of the most upsetting and seemingly avoidable military events since the dawn of the new Millennium. Having someone in the field there able to send fresh reports to us offers our viewers the freshest perspective from the scene that they are likely to find in western media. His view of the ongoing struggle in Gaza is eye-level and Yousef never stops talking to the affected people and asking the important questions that many would have shielded from the world.