June 30, 2011
Flotilla organizers accusing Israel of sabotaging second ship
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Mavi Marmara (2010)
Organizers of the Gaza-bound flotilla accused Israel of sabotaging a second ship, though they have no proof of this claim.
The engine of the Irish-flagged ship “Saoirse” was seriously damaged Wednesday while docked in Turkey’s territorial waters, Haaretz reporter Amira Hass, who is scheduled to travel with the flotilla reported. Other reports said that the ship’s propeller was damaged. The Saoirse reportedly has dropped out of the flotilla, according to the Irish Times.
“I saw the damage and it is clear that it was done in a planned and professional way,” flotilla spokesman, Dror Feiler, told Army Radio. “The Israeli government is the only one that could benefit from this.”
Feiler admitted that he has no proof that Israel is responsible for the damage.
It is the second ship to be damaged in what flotilla organizers believe are acts of deliberate sabotage.
On Monday, the propeller of the “Juliano,” on which Swedish, Norwegian and Greek activists are scheduled to travel, was discovered to be broken.
Security guards are now watching the remaining flotilla ships around-the-clock, according to reports.
The United States-flagged ship “The Audacity of Hope,” has not yet been given permission to sail, following a complaint that it is not seaworthy.
So far only two flotilla ships in Greek ports have been given permission to sail, AFP reported.
The flotilla’s departure date, originally scheduled for the middle of this week, will be pushed off by several days, according to reports.
