by the members of the Gaza-Flotilla II
Dear Mr. Papandreou,
We, members of the Gaza-Flotilla II who have come to the shores of Greece from all parts of the world,leaving behind our work places and families, in order to put into practice our solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza, are outraged by the decision of your government to close by force the ports of Greece to our humanitarian initiative.
This decision not only violates the consacrated principle of international law of the freedom of the seas and the anciant tradition of the freedom of the Mediterranian, but also disregards the claims for democracy and self-determination of the people of Palestine as well as of the non governmental organisations we represent.
It is totally incomprehensive for us and fills us with just wrath that the Greek government closes the ports to our ships just in a moment when you, Mr. Papandreou, have been constantly expressing the need of solidarity for the Greek people. By putting yourself and your government as an ally of Israel in the Palestinian question you also seem to have forgotten the struggle against the military dictatorship in your own country.
The members of this international peace mission therefore demand, on behalf of the people of Gaza and for ourselves the same right to move that has been granted for centuries to the Greek people in our countries.
MR. PAPANDREOU, LET US GO!
Dr. Leo Gabriel, Delegation from AUSTRIA
Dr. Samir Kazkaz, Delegation from GERMANY
Max van Lingen, Delegation from the NETHERLANDS
Vauro Senesi, Delegation from ITALY
Giovanni Esposito, Delegation from SWITZERLAND
Nadia Kevorkova, Delegation from RUSSIA
Ines Mizic, Delegation from BOSNIA
Nooravman Samsuddin, Delegation from Malaysia