The MV Rachel Corrie, a cargo ship named for the American activist who was killed in the Gaza Strip in 2003, is one of eight ships poised to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“We feel really honored,” said Craig Corrie, Rachel's father.
Rachel Corrie traveled to Gaza with the International Solidarity Movement in 2003 and was attempting to stop Israeli defense forces from demolishing Palestinian homes when she was killed by an Israeli bulldozer.
“I’m sure that Rachel would be glad. She wanted people to remember the folks in Gaza and I’m sure she’d be glad that people around the world are doing it in this way,” Corrie said.
Israel is set to block the eight ships carrying 10,000 tons of aid and 800 activists and politicians on its way to the Gaza Strip.
The Free Gaza movement has organized several other aid ships to Gaza in the past, the last three of which were stopped by Israel. Corrie hopes this time will be different.
“They need the cement that’s coming in, we saw that. They need the medical equipment that’s coming in, they need the school supplies. I think that all of us, all the people that are listening here and the media need to stay tuned to this and it’s our job if Israel tries to intervene in this, it’s our job to get on TV, to get out on the street, to implore with our governments to intervene and let the supplies go through,” said Corrie.
Corrie also feels It is important that the United States, Europe and Russia do more to grant access to Gaza for aid supplies to help the families and children in need.