Latest news with #MichaelColeman
ABC News
7 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Freedom Flotilla aid mission bound for Gaza Strip sets sail with Greta Thunberg on board
A Freedom Flotilla Coalition boat has set sail in another attempt to "break Israel's siege" of Gaza and deliver aid to the territory despite numerous unsuccessful missions. On board the boat Madleen is climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who says the movement "has to keep trying" despite the risk of violence and interception. Freedom Flotilla has tried repeatedly over the past 15 years to sail boats laden with aid and medical supplies into Gaza, which Israel has blockaded by sea since 2007. Former crew member Michael Coleman, who was part of a previous mission in 2011, says those on board would be well-aware of the risks and low likelihood of reaching Gaza's shores. Past attempts have been intercepted by Israeli forces, failed to leave port or, in the most recent instance, been subject to alleged drone attacks. Mr Coleman was on board one of two boats carrying medical supplies and activists trying to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip in 2011. The Israeli navy said it advised the vessels to turn back or sail to Ashdod Port in Israel or to Egypt, but the activists refused to cooperate. The navy boarded the two boats and detained the protesters. "Comms were jammed and we were surrounded by a myriad of Israeli naval vessels, and they boarded using a water cannon and tasers, and used a fair bit of physical force," Mr Coleman said. "We were strip searched, put on a bus and taken to an immigration facility, and then arrived at a prison really early the morning after." Mr Coleman was held for a week in an Israeli prison before being deported back to Melbourne. The most recent attempt was earlier this month when the ship Conscience was 13 nautical miles east of Malta when those on board said it was struck twice by a drone. The ship sustained damage and lost power. The coalition said Israel was to blame, though Israel has not commented. "We don't have proof of if the drones are from Israel … [but], again, why would someone attack a humanitarian vessel carrying aid to Gaza?" a group spokesperson said at the time. A blockade on Gaza has been in place since Hamas took power in 2007, with Israel controlling the entry of goods and aid into the strip. At the time, Israel said the restrictions were due to Hamas's hostility and that the restrictions were part of counter-terror measures. Since the outbreak of the war in October 2023, entry of aid and goods into Gaza has become more tightly controlled. There have been several previous attempts by the Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza, and it made international headlines in 2010 when nine pro-Palestinian volunteers from Türkiye died en route. In this instance, a convoy of ships led by a Turkish vessel set sail from Istanbul, carrying 600 people and 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid During a night-time raid, Israeli commandos, backed by warships and helicopters, boarded the ships in international waters. Israel put the blame for the deaths on the organisers of the aid flotilla, saying the entire voyage was a provocation by a group with links to terrorist organisations. A second attempt was planned for 2011, but the ship was prevented from leaving a Greek port after being tied up by bureaucratic red tape, according to Mr Coleman who had intended to sail with the crew. Later that year, he was on board the Canadian vessel Tahrir when the ship was intercepted and forced to travel instead towards the southern city of Ashdod. "We got about 80 nautical miles off the coast [of Gaza] before the welcoming committee arrived," he said. "I joke that I am a salesman for the world's worst Mediterranean cruise." In 2015, Freedom Flotilla III, made up of four boats, set sail with 48 human rights activists, journalists, artists, and political figures representing 17 countries. The Swedish ship Marianne was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters about 100 nautical miles from Gaza. It was taken to the port of Ashdod and the rest of the ships were turned back. Other ships have been blocked from making the journey over the years due to administrative and diplomatic setbacks. In 2024, A humanitarian aid flotilla destined for Gaza was halted after Guinea Bissau decided to remove its flag from two vessels. Australian Surya McEwen participated in this mission, as well as the mission from Malta earlier this year where a ship was allegedly attacked by drones. He said 18 humanitarian workers were onboard at the time of the attack. "The other 40-plus of us were preparing to meet the ship at sea a few short hours later," he said. Mr McEwan acknowledged flotillas faced many "different challenges" in attempting to make it all the way to Gaza, and were often undermined or attacked "bureaucratically and militarily". Despite this, he said these missions were crucial in not just delivering aid to those in need, but also providing "symbolic" support. "There is a duty for people to act in whatever way possible to bring solidarity, to bring medicine and food, but also to bring hope to the people of Gaza," he said. The situation in Gaza is the worst it has been since the war between Israel and Hamas militants began 19 months ago, the United Nations said on Friday, despite a resumption of limited aid deliveries in the Palestinian enclave. Under growing global pressure, Israel ended an 11-week blockade on Gaza, allowing limited UN-led operations to resume. On Monday, a new avenue for aid distribution was also launched — the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — backed by the United States and Israel, but with which the UN and international aid groups have refused to work, saying it is not neutral and has a distribution model that forces the displacement of Palestinians. Ahead of the vessel's departure, Ms Thunberg, known initially for her climate activism said the ship will try to reach the shores of the Gaza Strip in an effort to bring in some aid and raise "international awareness" over the ongoing humanitarian crisis. "We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying," Thunberg said, bursting into tears during her speech. "Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it's not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide," she added. Israel disputes suggestions its conduct in Gaza amounts to genocide, instead saying its actions are necessary to destroy Hamas. An International Court of Justice case brought by South Africa alleging genocide is yet to be resolved. Among those joining the crew of the Madleen are Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent. She has been barred from entering Israel due to her active opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza. The activists expect to take seven days to get to their destination, if they are not stopped. Mr Coleman says if the flotilla is not successful, it will at least raise awareness of the issue. "It's been 80 days now that there's been any aid to the strip and the stories out of it are truly heartbreaking," he says. "We'll sail until Palestine is free."
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Italian-inspired estate sells for fraction of expected price
A breathtaking Gidgegannup property which was once expected to sell for $25 million has sold for only $5.5m. The 143 hectare estate comprises 10ha of world-class gardens, as well as stunning lakes, a three-bedroom lakeside cabin, beaches, jetties and two islands. It was designed by former owner Michael Coleman, a one-time property developer, who set out nearly three decades ago to replicate Rothschild Gardens in Italy, complete with Roman busts. Over the next two decades, a full-time horticulturist, three full-time and three part-time gardeners had worked to bring the vision to life. British sculptor David Sharpe was flown in assemble his works on site. The 143 hectare estate comprises 10ha of world-class gardens and stunning lakes. Credit: Supplied The result is Lake Como meets Australian bush, with landscaped semi-formal and ornamental gardens set against towering eucalypts and the sunburnt hills of neighbouring properties. The property sold for $7.7m amid the depressed property market in 2019, despite earlier hopes for $25m. Credit: Supplied Incredibly, it is only 40 minutes from Perth CBD. The property sold for $7.7m amid the depressed property market in 2019, despite earlier hopes for $25m. The 2019 buyer, Le Lake Retreat Pty Ltd, had planned to turn it into a resort. However, that plan ended up in receivership. It led to the recent sale, which netted an even smaller sale price. The deal has not yet settled so the new owner's name is uncertain. But one thing is for sure — they got a bargain. The breathtaking Gidgegannup estate was expected to sell for $25 million but sold for $5.5 million. Credit: Supplied
CBS News
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
With Real ID deadline here, Sacramento-area nonprofit asks drivers to sign up for organ donation at DMV
SACRAMENTO - Wednesday marks the REAL ID deadline in California, meaning if you do not have the updated license, you will need a passport or other form of federal identification to fly domestically within the United States. The rush to get the REAL ID has prompted longer-than-usual lines at Sacramento region DMV locations for the past several weeks. "We have no choice but to get it done," said Sacramento driver Zion Taddese, who was at the Broadway location on Wednesday to get her REAL ID. "I've been here at least a good two hours. I came in the rush hour." For many at the DMV, their experience has been defined by sitting around and waiting. "In the morning time, you're looking at anywhere from two to four hours of a wait," said driver Felicia Byrd. One West Sacramento nonprofit is using this time with so many headed out to get a new license to encourage them to make a big decision. One question typically posed to everyone at the DMV is this: Will you become an organ donor? "There are currently, across the country, over 100,000 people waiting for those lifesaving organs. Twenty thousand are here in California, and about 80% of those people are waiting for a kidney," said Michael Coleman, director of external affairs at Sierra Donor Services. The nonprofit, for the past 40 years, has connected patients in the Northern California region to the organs they need to survive. "I go to bed knowing nationwide, 17 people will run out of time. Seventeen people on that 100,000 wait list will run out of time today. They woke up this morning and their families will say goodbye today because there wasn't a match available," Coleman said. Last year, Sierra Donor Services secured 425 life-saving transplants. All of the organs came from 170 deceased donor heroes "One way to think, for everybody waiting in line at the DMV, you might be a little tired, you might be a little frustrated, but you can do some really good work. You can make a profound impact, make a plan to one day save up to eight people's lives," Coleman said. It is as simple as responding "yes" when the DMV asks if you would like to register as an organ donor. Leimomi Mabanta of Sacramento is one of the thousands of patients wishing more people would add their names to the organ donation list. Mabanta is on dialysis and in kidney failure. "I was told in 2022 I would need a kidney transplant in order to survive," Mabanta said. "I'm just waiting. I found out last week it's going to be a five-year wait for me." She says she is constantly wondering if she will find her life-saving match before time runs out. "It's an endless thought. I go to sleep thinking about it. I wake up thinking about it," Mabanta said. "Mentally, it takes a toll. I told myself and promised myself I am here for a purpose." She spends her days trying to stay positive and focuses on her health. Her hope is that she is not just a number on a long list of people in line. "When you donate and you're a donor, there's a possibility more than one person can be saved. They can have a far better life than sitting in a chair waiting for something to happen, waiting for destiny and for something to come to you," Mabanta said. Right now, only 58% of people in the Northern California region are registered organ donors. Coleman says his organization will not rest until that number climbs to 75%. "Within the past few years, we started changing the way we do things, reaching outside the box, reaching out to new communities. We saw a 2% increase in the organ donor roster," Coleman said. He says their organization is working to instill a greater sense of trust in the medical profession among communities of color. They are also working to dispel myths surrounding donation. He says some of those misconceptions are that it is against major religions, that you can't donate if you have had cancer in the past and that organ donation prevents an open casket funeral. You do not have to sign up at the DMV -- visit the Donate Life website or the Sierra Donor Services website for more information.
