Beirut (AsiaNews) - In all likelihood the "Mariam", the Arabic name of Mary, has not yet left the Lebanese port where it is berthed. The ship is carrying a group of Christian and Muslim women who are intent on bringing aid, especially medicine, to the population of Gaza, and is already causing problems in Israel
Because it is one thing to attack a ship carrying more or less peaceful pacifists, another is to raid a ship voluntarily baptized with the name of Our Lady. "We are determined to go - says Rima Farah, spokeswoman for the group - and our weapons are our faith in the Virgin and humanity."
"The mission – she clarified yesterday - is of a humanitarian nature and will be conducted on board a merchant ship and not a tourist vessel." "A huge image of the Blessed Virgin will be raised on the ship and the boat will be loaded with medicines to treat cancer patients among the women and children." Religious songs, she added, will accompany them on their expedition.
The first sounding of the alarm caused by the “Mariam” was the Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak’s warning to Lebanon, which he said, "will be held responsible for any departure from one of its ports of vessels bound for Gaza". And the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Danny Ayalon, added that, unlike previous attempts to break the blockade imposed on Gaza, this time the people on board could be jailed and deported.
"The Mariam - commented Farah - has already begun to achieve its purpose, as Israeli leaders have launched warnings and threats." "We are not afraid," said the organizer of the expedition, Samar El-Hajj.
The ship, according to the woman, is "now ready" in an unnamed Lebanese port and will also welcome on board about thirty European pacifists and two score of journalists.
The protesters, meanwhile, gathered in prayer in a cave near the Shrine of Our Lady of Mantara (pictured) where it is said that Mary expected Jesus
The women's group claims to have no association with Hezbollah or with other political organizations. "We are not related to the 'Party of God', but the Mother of God." The issue is also being addressed by Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri, who says "the Israeli government continues to threaten Lebanon." "There are - he added - lots ships from Europe. Does the Defence Minister want to attack Europe or other countries that bring aid to Gaza? ".