MER-C Indonesia to Participate in Freedom Flotilla II

BOGOR, KOMPAS.com - Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) Indonesia will again take part in the mission of "Freedom Flotilla" II, a cruise through the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which is still blockaded by Zionist Israel.

"That is the plan (the participation in the mission), but the exact schedule is still uncertain as it is awaiting further news from other elements," Presidium Chairman of MER-C Indonesia, dr.Sarbini Abdul Murad said here, Sunday. He said the organization will send Nur Fitri Moeslim Taher, as the chairperson with the team members dr.Arief Rachman and Abdillah Onim to the event.

At the first mission, "Mavi Marmara", the ship that transported hundreds humanitarian, human rights activists, journalists and the other pro-Palestinian elements fell victim of the attacks of Israeli special forces in the Mediterranean. Nine people had been killed in the attacks and more than 50 people injured.

Meanwhile, Media Coordinator of Humanitarian Relief Organization IHH Turkey, Ouassima Ibn Salah in an electronic mail said that the humanitarian movement for the Palestinians in Freedom Flotilla II Stay Human are preparing to set the sail back to Gaza to remove the Israeli illegal blockade of the territory. The campaign against the Israeli illegal blockade that supported the human rights activists from at least 20 countries involved about 20 ships, the Turkey humanitarian activist said.

"IHH remains part of the flotilla though Mavi Marmara (the ship) could not sail," he explained.

"Freedom Flotilla II Stay Human" is a coalition of human rights activists from different countries, religions, and beliefs," Ouassima Ibn Salah said.

"The rainbow coalition is a joint common of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus and secularists. In the movement, the citizens of the world unite. Our goal is Gaza," he said.

"We fight without violence. Removing the Israeli illegal blockade in Gaza and full and permanent independence for the Palestinians is the goal of our struggle," he said. Ouassima Ibn Salah said Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are in a very bad condition.

"This month (June 2011), the health authorities in Gaza have also announced a state of emergency due to lack of vital drugs," he said. It is estimated that within three months the supply of 69 medical drugs and 70 types of other important drugs will be depleted. The sailing humanity has received support of Palestinian organizations, he added.

Meanwhile, as reported by page www.republika.co.id, Katty Kelly, a popular journalist and columnist of the United States who is also the founder of news site "Artificial Voice Against Violence", stated, she will take part in the fleet of Freedom Flotilla II to break the Gaza blockade. This statement came a day after an American columnist, Alice Walker stated that the Israeli Zionists are bad people.