Gulf | Bahrain
Authorities push for release of six Bahrainis detained in Israel
Bahrain's authorities are pushing for the release of six Bahrainis who were arrested by the Israelis after the Israel Navy intercepted a boat carrying them and other international activists as they were attempting to break the punitive blockade of the Gaza Strip.
- By Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief
- Published: 10:03 July 1, 2009
Manama: Bahrain's authorities are pushing for the release of six Bahrainis who were arrested by the Israelis after the Israel Navy intercepted a boat carrying them and other international activists as they were attempting to break the punitive blockade of the Gaza Strip.
“We have been in intense contacts with several parties and international humanitarian organizations to secure the safety and the release of the Bahrainis,'' Yousef Ahmad, from the foreign ministry, said on Tuesday evening. “Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa has directed us to do our utmost to secure their prompt and safe return home,'' he said.
The six Bahrainis, including three women, were among 21 peace activists and humanitarian workers who set sail for Gaza on Monday on “The Spirit of Humanity'', a Greek island ferry, to break Israel's punitive action against the Strip and to deliver three tonnes of medical supplies, children's toys, tool kits and copper wire.
Talking to the Jordanian press, Fatima Al Attawi, one of the Bahraini activists making the trip, said that she and the other Bahrainis wanted to reach out to the Palestinians in Gaza and offer them direct and substantial support.
"We want to see the people there, learn from them about their situation ... They ask where are the Arabs, where are the Muslims? We go there to tell them we are here now and forever," she was quoted as saying by the Jordan Times.
For banker Kaltham Ghloom, the Palestinians deserve to live in peace.
“Everyone talks about peace and human rights but not about Palestinians. Thus, every state, every individual is obliged to support Palestinian human rights," she said.
The other Bahrainis are Juhaina Alqaed, Hassan Yousef, Khalid Shinhou and Khalid Abdul Qader.
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