Ref: 68/2011

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) denounces surrounding
the French Ship – “Dignity” – off the Gaza Strip coast and taking it
forcibly to the Israeli waters by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). PCHR holds IOF legally responsible for the
safety of the international activists on board. PCHR also calls upon the international community to immediately
intervene and exert pressure on Israel to stop its continuing violations
against the international solidarity flotillas, which struggle in order to end
the illegal Israeli siege imposed on the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

Four Israeli gunboats surrounded “Dignity” with 16
international activists, three crew members and two journalists on board,
approximately 40 nautical miles off the
Gaza Strip coast. The attack was carried
out on Tuesday morning, 19 July 2011. The Ship “Dignity” was forcibly taken by IOF to Ashdod Port in
Israel, while all communications with the ship have been jammed since then.

“Dignity”, as part of the Freedom Flotilla 2 that is stuck
in the Greek ports under a decision issued by the Greek Government, is an
international message of freedom, dignity and human rights to end the siege and
stop the policy of collective punishment imposed on the Palestinian civilian
population in the Gaza Strip. The Ship
had sent its message to the whole world:

“This small boat is a symbol of determination of the
International Solidarity Movement to end the siege imposed on Gaza and to
express solidarity with 1.6 million Palestinians imprisoned there since
2007. The reality that the Ship
“Dignity” has been still in high seas is considered a setback for the
Israeli government, which forcibly tries to exert pressure in order to
legitimize the siege and silence the civil society movements around the world.” A statement issued by “Dignity” in
high seas on 18 July 2011.

“PCHR highly appreciates the courageous attempt done by the
Freedom Flotilla 2 and was represented in the French Ship, which insisted on
breaking the conspiracy of silence and illegal and inhumane siege imposed on
the Gaza Strip’s civilians. The Palestinian
people are proud of the international activists’ determination to break this
conspiracy, reminding that the siege has still been imposed. Those activists are considered the symbol and
core of the international civil society, which demands the application of the law
against what is practiced against the Palestinian people of jungle law and
illegal siege. What happened to them is
a double crime: The first is because they came to end the crime of illegal and
inhumane siege, and the second is because they were prevented from practicing
their right to stop this crime and put an end to the Palestinians
suffering. We highly appreciate what the
international activists had faced of suffering and pain to reach Gaza waters.” Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR.

PCHR is gravely concerned over continued Israeli crimes against the
international activists and flotillas and calls upon IOF to immediately release
“Dignity” Ship, release the international activists aboard and ensure
their safety. PCHR believes that IOF’s
violations against solidarity flotillas confirms that the Israeli occupation of
the Gaza Strip is still continuous in legal and material forms and confirms
systematic destruction of the Palestinians’ life at all levels caused by the
sisege. PCHR appreciates and is proud of
all freedom flotillas that support human rights, freedom and justice.