Activists protest against Greek ban on Gaza-bound ships

Dozens of activists gathered near the Greek embassy in Amman on Tuesday to protest against Greece’s refusal to let all Gaza-bound ships sail from its shores. Protesters held placards in support of Palestinians in Gaza and condemning the sanctions imposed on the strip. “We understand that Israel and its Zionist arm can take measures to stop the aid convoy from reaching Gaza. But not Greece, the country with an ancient tradition of human rights and freedom,” said a statement issued by the professional associations during the gathering. “Greece is acting like an obedient solider doing the job of Israeli soldiers and blocking ships carrying humanitarian aid,” added the statement.Several ships participating in Freedom Flotilla II have been forced to remain docked in Greece after local authorities warned that they did not have permission to set sail for Gaza "for their safety".The flotilla, carrying about 350 passengers, was supposed to be taking tens of thousands of dollars of medicines, food, gifts and building materials to Gaza, Reuters reported. But the chances of any of the ships arriving in Gaza were increasingly remote due to the vigilance of the Greek coastguard and the rigid enforcement of the government's ban, according to the agency. The professional associations statement said Greece is taking part in the killing of innocent children and women. “We at the professional associations condemn this act and we hold Greece responsible for siding with injustice against innocent people,” said the statement. The demonstrators said Greece should be sending more ships to Gaza, not standing united with Israel in its war against Palestinians. “We are greatly disappointed by actions of Greece. This is a country from which we expect support and sympathy, not collaboration with Israel against helpless civilians,” said Wael Saqa, head of the preparation committee organising Jordanian participation in the convoy. He called on activists and human rights groups in Greece to pressure their government to allow the boats to sail to Gaza. Fearing for the safety of the flotilla and wary of regional tensions, Greece imposed the ban but offered to ferry the aid to Gaza in cooperation with the United Nations. But the activists turned the offer down saying that it was "insufficient”, according to Reuters. Activists have accused Israel of damaging two ships docked in Turkey and Greece that were part of the flotilla, but Israel has denied claims it sabotaged ships trying to breach its sea blockade of the Gaza Strip. A similar attempt by a six-ship convoy to reach the Palestinian territory in May 2010 ended in bloodshed when Israeli troops stormed the lead vessel, killing nine Turkish activists and sparking a diplomatic crisis with Ankara.