Ann Wright arrived safely back into the US this morning. She flew into JFK airport after being released from Israeli custody and was greeted by friends and taken to breakfast.
Ann had set sail with the Women’s Boat to Gaza in an effort to break the Israeli naval blockade that holds the people of Gaza in an open air prison. The boat, Zaytouna-Oliva, was intercepted by the Israeli navy a few miles of the coast of Gaza where people were waiting on Gaza’s shores to greet Ann and the other women on board. The Israeli navy took the boat by force and rerouted it to the Israeli port of Ashdod where the crew, including Ann, were taken into Israeli custody.
Ann Wright is a decorated former US diplomat and long-time CODEPINK activist. On board with her were three parliamentarians, an Olympic athlete, and Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Maguire. They were committed to nonviolence as much as they were committed to breaking the blockade. Ann and the other women of the Zaytouna-Oliva are saddened that they were not able to reach their friends in Gaza. But they have not given up their hope that soon the blockade will end and Gaza will be free.
Support Ann’s mission to free Gaza by signing our petition to Secretary of State John Kerry. Tell Kerry that he must stop enabling the blockade with US military assistance.
Sign the petition to Secretary Kerry
The people of Gaza do not deserve to live in an open-air prison. The must have the right to fish in their waters, travel freely, and receive adequate food, medicine, and other supplies. The siege on Gaza must end!
In solidarity,
Ann, Alli, Ariel, Nancy K., and the entire CODEPINK team
