WILPF News Alert on the flotilla to Gaza:
Humanitarian Aid versus International Politics, the need to ensure the US Audacity of Hope is allowed to proceed. 

5 July 2011

The media seem to be otherwise engaged! There has not been enough reporting on the US flotilla which should be on its way to Gaza but which is being held up/harassed/blocked/illegally detained by Greece. On what grounds can they stop a boat delivering humanitarian aid to a people still prevented from asserting their rights under international law? The Israeli Blockade is illegal and should not be upheld or condoned by other States.

WILPF would like to pay tribute to those who are on the flotilla and in particular to Hedy Epstein (87), the oldest member of the flotilla travelers. She is a WILPF member, holocaust survivor from St. Louis, MO. Others include; Alice Walker, Kathy Kelly, Medea Benjamin, and Ann Wright.

WILPF should give them every support in all ways open to us. Lobby your government, write directly to the Greek embassy in your country, get information into the media. Those on the flotilla should know that we are watching and supporting them in all ways possible.

• The latest information and updates about the US boat Audacity of Hope, including a call for joint public action, can be found here.

• Flotilla-member Alice Walker is documenting the current events through essays and poems which can be found on the following website.