Thursday, September 2, 2010

Boat carrying Dubai doctor and Gaza aid continues its mission despite Israeli threat
A Dubai doctor on a mercy mission to Gaza has been told by Israelis they will stop his ship from reaching the war-torn country by “all and any means”.
Dr Ali Dabbagh was speaking on the phone to 7DAYS when news came through from the Israeli embassy in Cyprus that the navy would use all possible methods to stop the boat from reaching Gaza.
Dr Dabbagh, a 52-year-old Dubai-based eye specialist, was standing onboard a Greek-registered ship laden with medical supplies when the Israeli response was announced.
He lifted up his mobile phone as the ship’s captain asked if anyone wanted to turn back.
“They answer is unanimous. Nobody is going to turn back,” he told 7DAYS.
Dr Dabbagh rushed to the Cypriot port of Larnaca last week after hearing that the US-based group ‘Free Gaza Movement’ was attempting a second emergency relief mission after it was previously rammed by the Israeli navy.
Dr Dabbagh said last night that the group had faxed the Israelis a full list of all passengers and supplies on board “right down to the nitty gritty”.
“They obviously didn’t like the menu,” he joked as news came through that the Israelis are planning to confront the ship when it reaches Gaza waters about lunchtime today.  
Israel has claimed jurisdiction over the Gaza coast under the terms of the Oslo peace agreement and has kept a tight blockade on all marine traffic into Gaza.
Dr Dabbagh’s wife, Sana, said the Free Gaza Movement ship, The Spirit of Humanity, would likely be reinforced with extra exterior protection before it tries to make it through the Israeli blockade.
She said she was deeply worried for her husband but “understood completely” why he wanted to carry out the mission.
“He is not trying to be a hero. People must understand that. He is just doing the right thing under the circumstances and bring supplies to the people of Gaza,” she said.
The 22-foot boat is likely to reach Gaza this afternoon if it makes it past the Israeli blockade.
It has a crew of six and 30 passengers that include doctors, surgeons, teachers and human rights workers from Europe, the Middle East and the US.
The cargo includes bandages, IV bags and water purification packs.
If Dr Dabbagh reaches Gaza, it will be the first time he will have been there since the 1950s.
His Palestinian father was forced to flee the territory with his family after the creation of Israel in 1948.