26/05/2010 Eight ships are already making their way through the Mediterranean towards the Gaza Strip in the framework of a European aid mission - with activists aboard the vessels likening their work to the anti-Nazi effort during World War II.
"We're helping the Palestinians, just like the Greeks helped during World War II against the Nazis," a Greek activist aboard one of the ships told Ynet Tuesday.
The mission was organized by Turkish group IHH as well as other leftist European organizations. The activists taking part in the sailing operation also expressed their fear that the Israeli occupation army will prevent them from arriving at their destination.
The Greek activist, university professor Vangelis Pissias, told Ynet that he is concerned about harm to human rights anywhere in the world.
"Just like we don't accept the Israeli behavior in Gaza, we will not accept it anywhere," he said. He added that the mission is an anti-violent act, and that participants only wish to offer aid to Gazans and bring the message that "we won't let any military force to keep them in prison."
The professor stressed that he has nothing against Jews and that he even has Jewish friends. However, he refused to condemn Palestinian terrorism. "These people are doing what reality causes them to do," he said.
Turning his attention to World War II, he added: "Back then we helped the refugees, and we're doing it now too. The Palestinians have the same feelings, they are under attack…and they're fighting for it for lack of other choice."
"The whole world watched Israel's serious crimes in Gaza about a year and a half ago," he said. "Humanity cannot accept it."
Meanwhile, Swedish history professor Mattias Gardel, who will also be heading to Gaza aboard one of the ships, told Ynet mission participants are concerned about human rights in Gaza and do not aim to assault anyone.
Gardel expressed his concern over the prospect of an Israeli military response to the aid mission, stressing that the activists aboard the ships are unarmed.
"We're unarmed, yet they are armed and will be coming with their Navy and commandoes – it will be a comedy," he said. "All of these forces against us. We urge the government to stop the fighters, open the door, and allow us to meet our Palestinian brothers."
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