KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- All 12 people, including seven Malaysians, two Irish nationals, two Indians, a Canadian and crew members on board 'MV Finch' will now use the land route to accomplish their humanitarian aid mission to the people of Gaza in Palestine.
Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF) representative in Jordan, Tan Sri Dr Samsudin Hitam told Bernama when contacted in Amman today that the vessel was still in Egyptian waters and expected to arrive at the Port of El Arish in Egypt when given the green light by the authorities.
"Currently the ship has been forced to anchor in Egyptian waters, 30 nautical miles from Gaza. We are waiting for word from El Arish," he said.
Dr Samsudin said the journey by land to Gaza would take about three hours and most likely lorries would be used to transport the PVC sewage pipes and the members of the mission.
"All passengers and crew are safe although the journey to Gaza by sea was halted when Israeli naval forces had forcefully turned the ship away while approaching the shores of the Gaza Strip," said Dr Samsudin.
The Malaysian aid ship 'MV Finch' carrying sewage pipes to Gaza, had warning shots fired by Israeli naval forces in the Palestinian security zone at 0654 Jordan time (0354 GMT) this morning.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Malaysia strongly condemned the attack by the Israeli Naval Forces on the humanitarian aid ship.
"Malaysia also demands that Israel do not to take any further drastic and violent military action on the unarmed passengers of the 'Spirit of Rachel Corrie'," he said in a statement here.
He said all the humanitarian activist on board should be given the necessary assistance to ensure their safety.
"Any Israeli military action on an unarmed vessel transporting humanitarian assistance will deepen the international community's negative perception of Israel and also demonstrate Israel's total indifference to its international obligations in defiance to world opinion," he said.
He said Israel should engage in peaceful dialogue under the ambit of the Middle East Peace Process in efforts to promote lasting peace and security in the region.
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=586889
Submitted by andie531 on Mon, 2011-05-16 17:23
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