Press release - September 9, 2008
The Israeli police, guided by the navy, have arrested thecaptain of the Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior, Daniel Rizzotti, following a peaceful direct action in which two activists painted “Quit Coal”, in English and Hebrew, on the hull of a ship unloading coal to the Ashkelon power plant. The activists along with another 12 crew and passengers, including a photographer and camera man were arrested earlier today.
Marking the launch of a four month "quit coal" ship tour, the
Rainbow Warrior will tour the Mediterranean and Europe.
Today, Greenpeace called on the Israeli government to abandon its
plan to build a new coal power plant in Ashkelon.(1)
"This overreaction to a peaceful protest makes you wonder where
the government's priorities really are," said Nili Grossman,
Greenpeace Mediterranean campaigner. "The real threat is the new
coal power plant they want to build at Ashkelon. Climate change is
the greatest threat the world has ever faced and coal is by far the
worst offender. It has no place here."
This autumn, the Greenpeace ships the Rainbow Warrior and
the Arctic Sunrise, are bringing the "Quit Coal" message to
the Mediterranean and Europe. The tour from Israel to Poland is
happening in the run-up to crucial UN climate negotiations in
Poznan, Poland this December. Quitting coal is an essential step
in a meaningful deal to save the climate. European governments have
a real chance to show leadership by phasing-out coal in their own
countries.
Greenpeace's Energy
[R]evolution scenario shows how renewable energy, combined with
greater energy efficiency, can cut global CO2 emissions by 50%, and deliver half
the world's energy needs by 2050.
Other contacts: Jo Kuper – Greenpeace International Communications, on board the Rainbow Warrior:
+ 873 324 453 510 / +31 6 46 16 20 39
Agnes de Rooij, Greenpeace International climate and energy campaigner, on board the Rainbow Warrior:
+ 873 324 453 510/+972 575 834 964
Nili Grossman, Greenpeace Mediterranean climate and energy campaigner:
+972 546 807 887
Greenpeace International press desk: +31 207 18 2470
Notes: 1. Thousands of Israelis have expressed their opposition to the new Ashkelon coal plant. Greenpeace is urging people to send in objections at www.greenpeace.org.il