Greece said it acted to protect pro-Palestinian activists when it banned all Gaza-bound ships from leaving its ports for a second day Saturday. The outraged activists meanwhile, seemed divided over how to respond to the ban. Greece's Civil Protection Authority confirmed Saturday that the ban on departures of ships "with Greek and foreign flags from Greek ports to the maritime area of Gaza" was in place "until further notice."
The ban had been imposed in light of "the need to protect national interests" as well as "the immediate dangers to human life posed by the attempt to break the blockade," a statement said. It cited Israel's "declaration to use violence against those who attempt to break the blockade," as well as a United Nations plea for member states on the Mediterranean "to use their influence to discourage" the mission.
Activists have accused Israeli secret services of keeping the mission grounded through a campaign of harassment and dirty tricks, including "sabotage" attempts on two boats and a slew of bureaucratic problems. But they appeared divided over how to react to the obstacles facing them. For while some activists called for an immediate departure, others argued the futility of defying the Greek ban.
On Friday evening the US boat Audacity of Hope tried to quit Greek waters just an hour after Athens announced its ban: they were quickly intercepted by a coastguard vessel with masked, armed men on board. Coastguard officials were on alert any other attempts to defy the ban, but differences emerged among the flotilla organisers over plans to get the remaining four boats into international waters and on to Gaza.
US Captain John Klusmer was arrested and appeared before a prosecutor in Piraeus port town near Athens where he was charged with felony offences, according to a statement from the Greek authorities. He is due back in court on Tuesday. While the other passengers and crew members were free to go, several had chosen to stay on the boat Saturday afternoon "in solidarity with the captain and defiance of the Greek authorities," a US flotilla spokesperson said.
The boat was under guard at a small military port in the area. Only four of the initial 10 boats were still in the running on Saturday: Spain's Gemika, the Canadian Tahrir and the French Dignity and Louise Michel. It was not clear whether they would carry the aid originally destined for Gaza. As well as accusing Israeli agents of a dirty tricks campaign that they say included the sabotage of boats, the theft of passports and legal moves to prevent the boats leaving port, the campaigners expressed fury at Greece.
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