Ishmahil Blagrove and Nadia Denton at 2008 bfm Film Festival launch
5th July 2009 -
Ishmahil Blagrove (Film/Documentary Producer who has worked for the BBC and Channel 4 and Founder of Rice n Peas Productions) had been kidnapped along with 20 other humanitarian activists, aid workers, an ex-US congresswoman, and a Noble Prize winner from Ireland (all from 11 countries) by the Israeli Authorities on Tuesday 30 June whilst trying to deliver medical supplies, school equipment, cement etc to the people of Gaza. The Israelis attacked their ship and forcibly arrested everyone on board, even though they had not entered Israeli waters or broken any laws.
Well I am pleased to inform you that they have all been released and the 5 or 6 British citizens (including my brother) should be landing at Heathrow Airport this afternoon at around 1.35pm. There is going to be a Press Conference but not sure of the details yet. This incident was being reported daily by Press TV and on some radio stations ie LBC.
There is a website called freegaza.org and they have been posting regular update.
Thanks for all your support and words of encouragement.
Maxine McKetty
Article: Independent
2nd July 2009 – “It is reported that Ishmahil Blagrove, Film-maker and founder of RicenPeas Films is currently being held in Ramla High Security Prison in Israel, along with other UK nationals and ex US senator Cynthia McKinney. Ishmahil was aboard the Free Gaza ship, Spirit of Humanity that was attempting to take aid and toys to the beseiged people of Gaza. Ishmahil was intending to make a film about the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israelis opened fire on the unarmed ship when it was 23 miles off the coast of Gaza, in international waters on Tuesday, 30th June. They then boarded the ship in Palestinian waters and arrested all on board including Mairead McGuire a Nobel Prize winner whose wherabouts are currently unknown. So far there has been little or no coverage of the incident.
Ishmahil’s work has previously been broadcast by both the BBC and Channel 4. His work includes: With or Without Fidel, Bang Bang! In Da Manor, Nine Nights, Acholi Wedding, This is our Country Too.”
3rd July 2009 – News Update
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» Ishmahil Blagrove, Founder of RicenPeas films being held by the Israelis « 100prints’s Blog : To Be or Not to Be @abdolian.com // July 3, 2009 at 10:25 pm |
[...] Ishmahil Blagrove, Founder of RicenPeas films being held by the Israelis « 100prints’s Blog Posted in July 3rd, 2009 by Farhad Abdolian in Activism, Crime, Freedom, Human Rights, Hunger, Israel, Politics, US, World Ishmahil Blagrove, Founder of RicenPeas films being held by the Israelis « 100prints’s Blog [...]