Gaza / PNN – The Al Jazeera cameraman arrested by Israeli forces off the coast of Gaza has been released.
Yemen national Mansour Al Abi was aboard the humanitarian aid boat “Spirit of Humanity” recording the mission to break the siege on Gaza when it was hijacked by the Israeli navy last Tuesday. He was finally released from Israeli prison yesterday.
The Israel-based bureau chief of Al Jazeera, Majid Khader, reported that Al Abi had been under pressure to say he had willingly and illegally entered Israeli boundaries. “But they did not enter Israel illegally,” he said. “They were aboard the Spirit of Humanity covering an operation heading for Gaza. They were forced to come ashore.”
Israeli naval ships surrounded the boat as it passed from international to Gaza waters, boarded, and arrested the 21 people on board, including the Al Jazeera cameraman, leaving them no choice but to be taken into Israeli boundaries at gunpoint.
Yemeni authorities had been negotiating with Israel and neighboring countries to secure Al Abi’s release.
His colleague, Al Jazeera reporter Othman Al Battiri, was released and deported to Jordan on Sunday. Al Abi is one of the last “Spirit of Humanity” passengers to be released.
Trade Union calls
Ahead of Al Abi’s release a gathering of Trade Unions yesterday condemned his imprisonment and called for aid to be allowed into the Gaza strip.
The location of the ship’s cargo of aid is still unknown though the occupying administration has said some of it may be sent on to Gaza, subject to security clearance.
The trade union meeting described the arrests and withholding of aid as part of a continuing series of violations against the people of Gaza. They called on trade unions, international institutions and the United Nations to put pressure on the Israelis to lift the blockade and comply with the Geneva Conventions.
