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Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Shurat HaDin sues Inmarsat for providing satellite services to Gaza flotilla

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 28, 2011

Telephone Contact: + 972 523 837020, +972 3 751 4175
Email: nitsanad@zahav.net.il

ISRAELI HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP FILES CIVIL ACTION AGAINST SATELLITE
GIANT INMARSAT OVER HAMAS SHIPS

(MIAMI, FLORIDA) On Tuesday June 28, 2011, the Israeli human rights group
Shurat HaDin brought a civil action against the UK and US based global
satellite company Inmarsat, alleging that it was providing communication
services to ships used by suspected terror organizations in the Gaza
flotilla planned for the coming days. The lawsuit was filed in Florida
State Court in Miami-Dade County.

The plaintiff in the suit, Michelle Fendel, a resident of the Southern
Israeli town of Sderot, asserts that under U.S. law, Inmarsat and its
officers have aided and abetted terrorism by providing satellite services to
the Gaza-bound ships. The Gaza Strip is controlled by Hamas, an Islamist
movement designated by the US, the UK, Israel and the European Union as a
terrorist group, and is subject to an Israeli naval blockade. Thousands of
Qassam rockets launched by Hamas have landed in the area of Fendel's home
in Sderot, which borders on Gaza, killing numerous Israeli civilians and
injuring many more.

The complaint alleges that Inmarsat is one of the largest satellite
telecommunications companies in the world and the main provider of maritime
communication services. The Flotilla ships rely upon Inmarsat’s network to
communicate with ports, naval authorities and other vessels and cannot sail
without it.

Andrew J. Sukawaty, Inmarsat's C.E.O. was also named as a defendant in the
case.

The plaintiff is represented by attorney Isaac Jarosiewicz of Miami,
Florida, Robert Tolchin of New York and Nitsana Darshan-Leitner of Tel Aviv,
Israel.

One year ago, a previous Flotilla bound for Gaza, was intercepted by the
Israeli Navy. There was a violent battle on board the ships between armed
militants and Israeli SEALs, that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.

Prior to filing the lawsuit, the attorneys for Fendel sent Inmarsat a
warning letter demanding that it discontinue all satellite services to the
boats being utilized to engaged in hostile operations against Israel. The
letter noted that providing services during the upcoming flotilla, Inmarsat
and its corporate officers were in violation of US criminal statutes
prohibiting the provision of material support for acts of violence and
terrorism (18 U.S.C. § 2339A and § 2339B) and the provision of material
support for naval expeditions against U.S. allies (18 U.S.C. § 960 and §
962), and would also be held civilly liable for any damages or harm caused
by participants in the flotilla.

The lawsuit alleges that: "Inmarsat’s provision of satellite communication
services to the Flotilla Ships constitutes a present and on-going danger to
the life, person and property of Plaintiff Michelle Fendel and other
residents of Sderot."

The attorneys for Fendel are asking the Miami Court to formally declare that
Inmarsat's provision of satellite communication services to the Flotilla
Ships constitutes a violation of American criminal statutes and endangers
the life of the Sderot residents. In addition, they have asked the Court
to grant a permanent injunction against Inmarsat which would require the
company to immediately and permanently cease the provision of any services
to any of Flotilla Ships.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A COPY OF THE COURT COMPLAINT:

TELEPHONE: +972 3 751 4175

EMAIL; nitsanad@zahav.net.il

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