Since their historic arrival on Sat 23rd the crew and passengers have been delivering hearing aids to children deafened by Isreali sound bombs, visiting hospitals and escorting fisherman to fertile waters that have been closed to Palestinians by the blockade. Many of the internatinals will now be returning home. With them will sail several Palestinian students who have been denied exit visas by Israel. A Palestinian professor who will be able to go back to teaching in Europe, and a young Palestinian woman who will finally be reunited with her husband. Several of the Free Gaza international human rights workers will remain in Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

By freely traveling to Gaza in two small wooden boats, the Free Gaza Movement forced the Israeli government to issue a fundamental policy change regarding their military and economic blockade of Gaza. In the face of intense public scrutiny, Israel chose to acknowledge the inherent right of Palestinians to freely engage with the world.

Thousands of Gazans packed onto the beach to await the boats, with hundreds plileing onto small vessels or wading into the water to welcome their visitors.

Since the organizers of the Free Gaza Movement will not be entering Israeli territorial waters, and since they will request an inspection from the Gaza Port Authority, they expect no interference when they leave Gaza. By Israel’s own admission, it has no authority to inspect the boats or the passengers when they leave Gaza. But many will still be quietly keeping thier fingers crossed.

The Free Gaza Movement intends to return to the Strip with another delegation as soon as possible, and is inviting the United Nations, Arab League and international community to organize similar human rights and humanitarian efforts for a community that are still suffering serious shortages of medical supplies and other neccesities.

The Free Gaza Movement will continue to work to ensure the free passage between Gaza and the outside world will remain safe and open.