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Over 300 activists from 22 countries including Canada, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Spain are hoping to carry 3,000 letters of support for the people of Gaza as well as medicines, a fully-equiped ambulance car and cement.
Among them are a good number of middle-aged as well as elderly Americans and Europeans who will be joined by 35 journalists from around the world, according to organisers.
The "Saoirse" pulled out of the mission after it suffered damage in an attack while moored in Turkey, sparking the Irish Ship to Gaza (ISG) campaign to finger Israel as the "chief suspect" for the "calculating act of sabotage."
The damage to the vessel was "identical" to that suffered by the Swedish-owned "Juliano" -- victim of another alleged sabotage attack on the weekend, which could have "caused death and injury," the campaign said.
Israel has repeatedly said it is determined to stop the flotilla but dismissed the allegations of sabotage as "paranoid", saying the flotilla organisers did not have "a shred of evidence" to support their claims.
As defiant activists vowed to sail for Gaza the moment the "Juliano" is fixed, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman urged the organisers not to create "new friction" in the region.
Israeli troops ended a similar attempt by a multi-national flotilla to reach Gaza in May last year when they stormed the lead vessel, killing nine Turkish activists and sparking a diplomatic storm.
But volunteers said they were prepared to set sail "whether we have official clearance to do so or not," and planned to hold demonstrations on behalf of the flotilla on Friday in the Greek capital.
Activists on the US boat "Audacity of Hope" refused to comment when asked if they would defy Greece and set sail without authorisation as early as Friday.
Accused by Israel of harbouring violent activists and dangerous chemicals, the journalists were given a tour of the ship Thursday in order to show "we are sulphur-free and ready to sail."
Organisers said an Israeli law firm had filed a claim accusing the US boat of being unseaworthy, a claim they vehemently deny.
"We strongly suspect that Israel is placing great economic pressures on Greece behind the scenes," said Ann Wright, a retired US colonel and former diplomat, who cited the countries' strong trading links.
The flotilla's calls for Greece to let them travel against Israel's wishes were overshadowed Thursday by news that President Karolos Papoulias will travel to the Jewish state in July to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
"It's time to set ourselves a deadline. We will wait until the Greek boat is fixed and then we will leave, all together, no matter what," said organiser Claude Leostic, adding: "It should be fixed by Saturday evening at the latest."
All boats bar one were still waiting for permission Thursday evening from the Greeks authorities to sail. In the face of constant setbacks, activists were cheered when Arab activists announced they will join the flotilla.
Arab activists have purchased a boat to join a Gaza-bound aid flotilla aimed at breaking Israel's five-year blockade on the Palestinian territory, a leading Jordanian unionist said on Wednesday.
Thirty-five Jordanians are set to join the flotilla to Gaza on a 560,000-euro ($805,000) boat bought in Greece, which brings the number of boats taking part to ten, after the Irish boat pulled out of the mission.
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Among them are a good number of middle-aged as well as elderly Americans and Europeans who will be joined by 35 journalists from around the world, according to organisers.
The "Saoirse" pulled out of the mission after it suffered damage in an attack while moored in Turkey, sparking the Irish Ship to Gaza (ISG) campaign to finger Israel as the "chief suspect" for the "calculating act of sabotage."
The damage to the vessel was "identical" to that suffered by the Swedish-owned "Juliano" -- victim of another alleged sabotage attack on the weekend, which could have "caused death and injury," the campaign said.
Israel has repeatedly said it is determined to stop the flotilla but dismissed the allegations of sabotage as "paranoid", saying the flotilla organisers did not have "a shred of evidence" to support their claims.
As defiant activists vowed to sail for Gaza the moment the "Juliano" is fixed, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman urged the organisers not to create "new friction" in the region.
Israeli troops ended a similar attempt by a multi-national flotilla to reach Gaza in May last year when they stormed the lead vessel, killing nine Turkish activists and sparking a diplomatic storm.
But volunteers said they were prepared to set sail "whether we have official clearance to do so or not," and planned to hold demonstrations on behalf of the flotilla on Friday in the Greek capital.
Activists on the US boat "Audacity of Hope" refused to comment when asked if they would defy Greece and set sail without authorisation as early as Friday.
Accused by Israel of harbouring violent activists and dangerous chemicals, the journalists were given a tour of the ship Thursday in order to show "we are sulphur-free and ready to sail."
Organisers said an Israeli law firm had filed a claim accusing the US boat of being unseaworthy, a claim they vehemently deny.
"We strongly suspect that Israel is placing great economic pressures on Greece behind the scenes," said Ann Wright, a retired US colonel and former diplomat, who cited the countries' strong trading links.
The flotilla's calls for Greece to let them travel against Israel's wishes were overshadowed Thursday by news that President Karolos Papoulias will travel to the Jewish state in July to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
"It's time to set ourselves a deadline. We will wait until the Greek boat is fixed and then we will leave, all together, no matter what," said organiser Claude Leostic, adding: "It should be fixed by Saturday evening at the latest."
All boats bar one were still waiting for permission Thursday evening from the Greeks authorities to sail. In the face of constant setbacks, activists were cheered when Arab activists announced they will join the flotilla.
Arab activists have purchased a boat to join a Gaza-bound aid flotilla aimed at breaking Israel's five-year blockade on the Palestinian territory, a leading Jordanian unionist said on Wednesday.
Thirty-five Jordanians are set to join the flotilla to Gaza on a 560,000-euro ($805,000) boat bought in Greece, which brings the number of boats taking part to ten, after the Irish boat pulled out of the mission.
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