Freedom Flottilla in Naples with balloons and books

The sailing vessel Estelle arrived in Naples yesterday, in the last leg of a trip ahead of its attempt to reach Gaza. With Estelle, which is carrying 200 balloons and books in Arabic for children, the Freedom Flotilla movement will attempt for the third time to break Israels Gaza embargo in order to bring aid to the Palestinians as well as make a political gesture. There is a 99% possibility that the Israelis will try to stop us, Jan Hammervold, a Norwegian sailor who is taking part in the expedition, told ANSA. We are ready once again to carry out our expedition. This is the third expedition of Freedom Florrilla to Gaza and since the last time, the conditions of Palestinians in Gaza have worsened, said Hammervold. Another two activists will board the ship in Naples, the last to join the crew which cannot exceed 17 people. We will decide together tomorrow who will board, said Alberto, a pacifist from Milan who was on board one of 13 ships which tried to break the Gaza embargo last year. It was very frustrating to remain blocked in Greece because Israel had expanded till there its territorial waters without a word from the international community. Another two activists with Eco, Jews against the occupation, will try to board the ship. The city of Naples has expressed its support and Mayor De Magistris is scheduled to meet the activists today. Some 100 youths welcomed the ship yesterday and activists raised 1.800 euros to buy an anchor which for the Estelle. Next year the trip will go in the opposite direction, said Fortuna, another activist. They are building a ship in Gaza which will travel to denounce the blockade throughout Europe. Salerno donated a small sailboat to a Palestinian school in Gaza. Estelle will remain in Naples until October 6. Before its departure the city will host concerts, events and the screening of a documentary on the murder in Gaza of Italian activist Vittorio Arrigon, Stay Human. The programme is on freedomflottilla.it.