The boat has left

The two Qatari envoys stood on the upper deck surrounded by their flags, smiling as the boat pulled away from the dock, waving to those of us remaining on the ground. They are members of the Eid Charity and going to Gaza as the very first Arab delegation. Al Jazeera was taping the departure, this time with the beautiful Katia Naser reporting from the back deck of the boat.Two Israelis are also on board, one a journalist from the liberal channel 10, and the other, Neta Golan, one of the co-founders of the ISM.

The boat is returning Vik Arrigoni to Gaza. He was kidnapped from the fishing boat, seven miles off the coast of Gaza several weeks ago, and he wants to go back and finish the work he started. He could only come back with us.

They are five of fifteen passengers and crew going this time. The weather was beautiful as they left and they should have a smooth trip all the way to Gaza. We will report more tomorrow as they approach the shores of the embattled slice of the Mediterranean called Gaza.

www.freegaza.org
www.anis-online.de/office/events/FreeGazaSong.htm
www.flickr.com/photos/29205195@N02/