FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For More Information, please contact:

(Gaza) Vittorio Arrigoni, +972 59 882 6516 / guerrillaingaza@gmail.com
(Gaza) Donna Wallach, +972 59 883 6420 / cats4jazz@gmail.com

To view video of Israeli forces opening fire on unarmed fishing boats (1 Sept) see: www.palsolidarity.org/main/2008/09/04/israeli-army-open
-fire-of-gazan-fishermen-and-international-activists/

GAZA STRIP (17 September 2008) – An Italian human rights worker with the Free Gaza Movement and International Solidarity Movement was injured today by the Israeli navy while monitoring human rights abuses against Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

Vittorio Arrigoni was hit by flying glass when the Israeli navy used a high-power water cannon against the unarmed boats. The water canon smashed the glass surrounding the steering section of the boat, with shards lacerating Arrigoni’s back. He was taken to hospital immediately upon reaching shore, requiring stitches.

The Israeli navy has imposed severe restrictions on fishing in Gazan waters, regularly attacking any boats attempting to fish over 3 nautical miles. With international accompaniment, fishermen have been attempting to fish their own waters, outside of Israeli imposed limits.

40,000 people in Gaza make a living from the fishing industry, a community that has been decimated both by violent Israeli attacks on unarmed fishermen, as well as through the general blockade of fuel and other needed supplies. According to the Fishing Syndicate in Gaza, fishermen need 40,000 litres of fuel and 40,000 litres of natural gas each day to operate throughout the high fishing season.

In the last year, over 70 fishermen have been arrested by Israeli forces for fishing in their own waters. At least 14 unarmed fishermen have been killed since 2000.

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