Gazan fishermen protest Israeli naval presence

Published yesterday (updated) 14/08/2009 12:09

Gaza – Ma’an – Dozens of Gazan fishermen called for an end to Israeli attacks on fishing boats and an end to the siege on the Strip in a protest outside of the UN headquarters in Gaza City Thursday.

The At-Tawfiq Institute, a fishers' rights group, organized the protest and called for an end to Israeli policing of Gaza’s coastal waters. Demonstrators held a large photo of fisherman Muhammad Jarbou, who was killed by Israeli forces while fishing.

Head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege Jamal Al-Khudari attended the event, and noted the loss of the fishing sector to the Gaza economy meant a loss of 3 million dollars a year. The Popular Committee was joined at the protest by members of the political bureau for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, including Jamil Al-Majdalawi, who called on the Palestinian government to protect the fishermen.

Israeli navy opens fire at Gazan fishermen

Israeli Air Force shells an area in Rafah

Monday August 10, 2009 10:01 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Israeli Air force shelled the “Tunnels area” in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, while the Israeli Navy shelled areas across the Gaza Coast in what the Navy described as retaliation to homemade shells fired from Gaza.

File - Image news.gov.kw

The Israeli army stated that Palestinian fighters fired one homemade shell and two mortars.

Meanwhile, Israeli sources reported Monday that the army shelled a tunnel in Rafah, and claimed that the tunnel is used by gunmen to smuggle munitions into Gaza.

The sources added that the shell and mortars were the first’ attack’ against adjacent Israeli areas since July 16.

Also, one mortar shell was fired Monday morning at an area in the Western Negev causing no injuries.

A spokesperson of the Israeli Navy stated that navy boats fired ‘warning’ shots at Palestinian fishermen, and claimed that they entered a ‘restricted area’.

On Sunday evening, the Israeli Navy shelled Palestinian fishing boats north west of Gaza; no injuries were reported in both attacks.

Also on Sunday, opposition leader in Israel, Tzipi Livni of the Kadima party, called on the army to retaliate and shell Gaza.

Furthermore, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the National Resistance Brigades, the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), claimed responsibility for firing mortars at the Erez Crossing.

IOF Demarcate Gaza Marine Border in North Gaza with Lit up Buoys

27-7-2009

Al Mezan

In the morning hours on Monday 27 July 2007, IOF put two lit up buoys in the North Gaza sea. According to the field investigations, the signs are composed of a heavy metal block that was thrown into the sea and linked with an iron pillar ends with light. The first signs was put in one kilometer away from the coast of Beit Lahyia, in the sea and three kilometer away from the separation line. The second sign was put two kilometers away from the first sign. The two signs form a line demarcating a no-go zone for Palestinian fishermen, although the IOF have not commented on them.

PCHR report 30/7-5/8/2009

excerpt from PCHR weekly report No. 31/2009 30 July- 05 August 2009

Israeli forces have continued to attack Palestinian fishers along the Gaza Strip coast.

Wednesday, 05 August 2009

In the evening, Israeli gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia beach in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. Palestinian fishers were forced to sail back to the beach. No casualties were reported.

Agha denounces IOF aggression on farmers and fishermen

[ 02/08/2009 - 10:18 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)-- Agriculture minister Dr. Mohammed Al-Agha has denounced the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) for repeatedly attacking Palestinian farmers and their farms and fishermen and their boats in northern Gaza Strip. The minister, during a field visit to the northern areas, said that the IOF soldiers lately concentrated on burning crops in the Palestinian lands near the northern borders and shooting at farmers to prevent them from attending to their farms. A ministry press release on Sunday also quoted Agha as condemning the Israeli navy for establishing an isolation zone off the northern coasts along three kilometers prohibiting fishermen from fishing in this area.

PCHR report 23/7-29/7/2009

excerpt from PCHR weekly report No. 30/2009 23 - 29 July 2009 published on the 30th of July 2009

Sunday, 26 July 2009

At approximately 21:00, IOF gunboats stationed opposite to Beit Lahia seashore in the northern Gaza Strip opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats. They also fired flash bombs into the air. Palestinian fishermen were forced to sail back to the shore. Two hours later, IOF placed warning signs 500-1000 meters away from the beach, preventing fishing boats from sailing beyond this distance. IOF gunboats opened fire at fishing boats that attempted to sail beyond this distance.

30th July Video Free Gaza news Is Israel guilty of piracy

gazafriends
30 July 2009



Is Israel guilty of piracy? Watch the video and decide for yourself how many international and maritime laws Israel has broken. The Israeli navy hijacked the Spirit of Humanity in international waters. The Israeli government hijacks Palestinian fishing boats, in Palestinian territorial waters, kidnaps the fishermen, and sends its military out to shoot to wound and kill them as they struggle to make a living. After watching this video, you will be convinced that Israel has committed acts of piracy against Palestinians and against internationals. No other country would be allowed to do what Israel does on a daily basis.


The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) volunteers were accompanying fishermen to document attacks on them by the Israeli Navy, and to provide a deterrence to these attacks. (www.palsolidarity.org)
For more information and current reports about Gaza fishermen: fishingunderfire.blogspot.com
Footage by ISM volunteers,
Andrew Muncie
Vittorio Arrigoni
Fida Qishta

Interview with fisherman
by Free Gaza delegate,
David Schermerhorn

Footage of the Israeli Navy
boarding the Spirit,
Theresa McDermott
Passenger among the Free Gaza 21

Thanks to:
Radhika Sainath, JD
a Los Angeles-based civil rights attorney for her article on Israeli piracy.
She recently returned from a National Lawyers Guild fact-finding mission to Gaza.

Soundtrack : Plastilina Luminosa