The Welfare Party of India has strongly criticised and expressed anguish over the ban imposed by the Greek authorities on the Freedom Flotilla 2 humanitarian caravan ships proceeding to Gaza from Greek port.
Flotilla 2 is part of the international effort to put pressure on Israel to lift the blockade imposed on the tiny Gaza strip with a heavy population of 1.5 million. The restriction imposed by Israel since 2001 and the complete siege of Gaza since 2007 has endangered lives of many. The 22 days long war on Gaza had significantly shattered all infrastructure and massively destroyed livelihoods. The reconstruction of Gaza Strip after this war could not be undertaken due to the siege. Children and women are the worst sufferers. This Flotilla 2, comprising eight passenger ships and two cargo boats carrying 3000 tons of aid and construction materials as part of a renewed attempt to break the blockade and reach out to Gaza citizens, are held up at Greek port now.
The Welfare Party General Secretary Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, in a statement on July 11, further said that peace loving people in India and elsewhere expected the Greek, with a precious ancient culture, would extend possible assistance for the humanitarian effort, but are deeply hurt and pained by their ban on the Flotilla 2, under Israeli pressure, from proceeding to Gaza from the Greek port.
“It is needless to remind the Greek authorities that the Gaza siege by the racist Israel has been termed illegal by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross,” he averred.
The General Secretary asked the Greek embassy in New Delhi to convey the feelings of the Indian people to its government. It also asked the Greek authorities to immediately lift the ban and facilitate the peaceful mission of Freedom Flotilla 2 consisting of members of parliament even from Greece and other European Union nations, politicians, writers, journalists, artists and sports figures from various countries of North America, Europe, Middle East and North Africa to proceed to Gaza to deliver the food and construction materials and extend support to the besieged Gaza people.