Campaigners hear eye-witness account of attack on peace convoy

Rochdale PSC members with Parveen Yacoub on Monday 14 January 2013. Several are holding up ‘Free Palestine’ badges

Parveen Yakoub, a survivor of the Israeli attack on the peace flotilla attempting to deliver food, medicines and other essential supplies to Gaza in May 2010 was the guest speaker at Rochdale Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s annual general meeting at Crescent Radio on Monday night (14 January 2013).

She reminded Rochdale campaigners that the people of Gaza have been living under siege conditions since 2006 and described the effects of the Israeli blockade as turning Gaza into an "open air prison" where there remains a desperate shortage of essential goods and even drinking water.

She also gave her eye-witness account of events on 30 May 2010 when she was amongst the peace activists travelling on the ferry, Mavi Marmara. The ship, which belonged to the charity Humanitarian Relief Foundation, was attacked by Israeli Naval forces in international waters whilst attempting to deliver humanitarian aid for Gaza. Parveen described her horror at the unprovoked attack and reported on on-going efforts in both Turkey and Israel to prosecute the officer commanding the attack which left nine people dead and dozens more injured.

The meeting also renewed the group’s commitment to the aims of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, including campaigning for the rights of self-determination and return for the Palestinian people, for the immediate withdrawal of the Israeli state from the occupied territories and opposition to racism, including anti-Jewish prejudice and Islamophobia.