In the last few days, we asked you to participate in efforts to support Gaza’s Ark, a project to politically challenge the blockade of Gaza by bringing a boat out of the port of Gaza carrying Palestinian exports. Thanks to the many of you who signed the Gaza’s Ark petition or participated in the Twitter storm!
Today, we have grim news. Gaza’s Ark was attacked last night. [1]
At 3:45 AM Gaza time, the night guard on board Gaza’s Ark received a call to leave the boat because it was going to be attacked. The guard left, but when nothing happened after about 5 minutes, he returned. A few minutes later, a large explosion rocked the boat, causing extensive damage. [2]
The boat sank part way and is now sitting on the shallow sea floor. The guard was not injured but was taken to the hospital for tests.
Investigations are underway, both to determine what happened and to determine whether the boat can be repaired.
Here’s how you can help now:
1. Help us get the word out about what has happened to the boat. If you’re on Twitter, share tweets from @GazaArk and @justfp about what happened. If you’re on Facebook, share the Al Jazeera article.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/04/blast-damages-gaza-anti-siege-boat-2014429124952109693.html
2. Sign and share the petition. If you haven’t signed the petition to the UN against the blockade yet, please sign and share. If you have signed it, please share it again. The petition currently has 6,500 signatures. We’d like to get that to 10,000 in the next few days.
http://www.gazaark.org/2014/04/26/petition-to-the-un/
Thank you for all you do to challenge the siege of Gaza,
Robert Naiman, Chelsea Mozen and Megan Iorio
Just Foreign Policy
Please help us reach our April fundraising goal—make a $10 tax-deductible contribution today!
Only two days left and $2,500 to go! Your financial support helps us create opportunities for Americans to agitate for a more just foreign policy.
https://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate
References:
1. “Gaza’s Ark Attacked,” Gaza’s Ark, April 28, 2014, http://www.gazaark.org/2014/04/28/gazas-ark-attacked/
2. “Blast damages Gaza anti-siege boat,” Fares Akram, Al Jazeera, 29 Apr 2014, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/04/blast-damages-gaza-anti-siege-boat-2014429124952109693.html