There is an adage that says “Hope springs eternal”. This was personified today when the Amal-Hope II entered Messina port to join her sister Zaytouna-Oliva.
According to Zohar Chamberlain-Regev, a boat leader for the Messina-Gaza leg, “while Amal-Hope II showed up fashionably late, she is fully ready to join us on our next leg of the journey.” Ann Wright, the other boat leader said that she was incredibly moved by the generous outpouring of help to purchase this second boat. “We are all extremely grateful and know that this second boat is important to help with our security and likelihood of reaching Gaza.” Many people have donated towards this replacement boat and if you would like to contribute then you can do so at this crowdsourcing site, or via one of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition organisations.
The two sister boats will depart later this week for their final destination, the shores of Gaza. The original Amal-Hope remained in Barcelona due to mechanical difficulties.
Amal II arrival and docking in Messina