"Security protocols in case of an emergency were reviewed and put into action: life vests, head counts and designated muster points. They were training for scenarios that could occur on any vessel fire, someone falling overboard, collision. But this training was different because there was another scenario. The volunteers were instructed on how to raise their hands in the event that Israeli soldiers intercepted the vessel, boarded it and detained them. The focus is on acting in a nonviolent way, in accordance with their mission."
"The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently described the humanitarian flotilla, which is sailing to break the Israeli siege on the people of Gaza, as a jihadi flotilla and claimed it has ties to Hamas. The so-called "Flotilla to Gaza" is openly backed by jihadi Hamas. In Hamas's own words: We call for mobilizing all means to support the Global Steadfastness Flotilla heading to Gaza. This is not humanitarian. This is a jihadist initiative serving the terror group's agenda. pic.twitter.com/vciWdnTswC"
"Flotilla steering committee member Saif Abukeshek, speaking to journalists online on Saturday, said such allegations are psychological warfare and added: The propaganda is an old strategy."
Volunteers aboard a Global Sumud Flotilla vessel prepared humanitarian supplies for Gaza and rehearsed emergency protocols including life vests, head counts and muster points. The crew trained for common maritime emergencies — fire, someone falling overboard and collision — and specifically practised nonviolent responses if intercepted by Israeli forces, including raising hands and remaining nonviolent. The flotilla approached the yellow zone between Italy and Cyprus where Israeli attacks are possible. Israeli officials publicly labeled the mission as linked to jihadi groups and sought to designate activists as terrorists. Flotilla members called such allegations psychological warfare and propaganda.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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