The Irish Ship to Gaza Fundraising Campaign held a successful Northern launch at Conway Mill on Wednesday 1^st December 2010. The original freedom flotilla sent to gaza following the Israeli attacks on Gaza in January 2010 was itself brutally attacked last year in international waters. This has not however stimied the resolve of Irish activists who again will gather food and medical aid and try to break the blockade in 2011.

Speakers at the press launch included; Sinead MacLochlainn-National Chair of Irish Ship to Gaza Committee, John Mallon-Chair Belfast Irish Ship to Gaza Fundraising group, Patricia McKeown-Irish Congress of Trade Unions, UNISON, Trade Union Friends of Palestine, Margaret Walsh SDLP representative, Gerry Adams MP Sinn Fein representative and Issam Ben Ali from the Palestinian Rights Institute Dublin and survivor of the attack on the first Flotilla in May.

Sinead MacLochlainn said “The campaign aims to maximise Irish participation on the Flotilla by funding an Irish boat with up to 50 people. The purpose of the flotilla is to break the siege and open the sea lanes to Gaza. This will allow cargo ships to sail into, and out of the seaport bringing in tons of aid and building supplies. People can then rebuild their homes and start the economy working again. This will put people back to work and get them off aid by allowing importing and exporting to freely take place directly with Gaza and the world.”

John Mallon said “ There are people from all walks of life in Belfast who want to get involved with the campaign. There is currently a fundraising Sky Dive event being organised between Belfast and Derry and already there are over 120 people who have signed up to jump for Gaza. The Falls Women’s Centre are getting behind the Irish Ship campaign with their support. People are organising sponsored walks and other events in support of this cause. We welcome anyone who wants to get involved in organising events in support of the boat to Gaza.”

Patricia McKeown pledged support from ICTU, UNISON and Trade Union Friends of Palestine. She said; “The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is 100% behind the objectives of the Flotilla which is to breach the blockade as a prelude to ending the siege. The Trade Union Friends of Palestine are already working on the Freedom flotilla 2 and the Irish Ship to Gaza. After the last incursion they raised 100,000 Euro very fast for the last flotilla and I think they would want to repeat that exercise.” Speaking on behalf of UNISON she said “UNISON raise a lot of humanitarian aid and funds and looked to repeating that and widening it.” 

For more information on Irish Ship to Gaza events in the North please visit Belfast Friends of Palestine or Derry Friends of Palestine on Facebook or www.irishshiptogaza.org