On Thursday, American activist Ann Wright said Greek authorities were bowing to Israeli pressure and deliberately stalling the departure of 53 passengers and crew – including 11 journalists – aboard a ship named the Audacity of Hope from a port near Athens.
“We’re fed up with it already, we’ve already waited seven days. We were ready to go a week ago,” Wright said.
She wouldn’t say how long activists would wait for the all-clear before the 33-meter (108-foot) ferry begins its journey. But she said the Greek coast guard would “probably” stop the boat shortly after departing.
Audacity of Hope passenger Alice Walker, author of the acclaimed novel “The Color Purple,” on Thursday read to journalists letters and cards that American children are sending to Gaza residents via the ship.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the flotilla at Thursday evening at a graduation ceremony for new pilots in central Israel, praising the action of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.
“Sometimes we are required not only to repel physical attacks by our enemies but also repel the attacks against our right to defend ourselves. In that regard, I want to thank the many world leaders who spoke out and acted lately against the flotilla provocation,” he said.