Total of 46 activists seek to challenge economic blockade and deliver aid
Israel warned tonight that an attempt by peace activists to sail two boats to the Gaza Strip was a “provocation” and said it would consider “all options” to prevent them reaching their destination.
A group of 46 activists set sail this morning from Cyprus and were hoping to reach Gaza tomorrow to challenge the economic blockade Israel has imposed on the territory and to deliver a cargo of 200 hearing aids for a deaf school and 5,000 balloons.
Among those on board is Lauren Booth, Tony Blair’s sister-in-law. “I’ve been nervous, but today I’m excited,” said Booth, 41, shortly before the boats sailed. “It’s not about our fear, it’s about the people waiting in Gaza, you can’t think about anything else.”
Israel has already warned the two boats not to undertake the journey
and tonight Aviv Shiron, the spokesman for Israel’s foreign ministry,
said the journey was a “provocation” and that “all options” were under
consideration to prevent the boats reaching Gaza.
It appears most likely that there will be a standoff with the Israeli
authorities tomorrow and that the activists will be arrested rather
than be allowed into Gaza.
Although Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers in 2005, it still
controls Gaza’s air space and sea space, as well as nearly all the
border crossings.
Until a recent ceasefire with Hamas – the Islamist group which won
Palestinian elections more than two years ago and which now fully
controls Gaza – the Israeli military was mounting regular incursions
into the territory, saying it wanted to stop rocket fire into southern
Israel. It has also imposed a tight economic blockade aimed at
weakening Hamas.
In a statement issued as they departed today, the activists said they
would lodge a legal protest against any attempt by the Israelis to
arrest them.
“If Israel chooses to forcibly stop and search our ships, we will not forcibly resist,” they said in a statement.
“If we are arrested and brought to Israel, we will protest and
prosecute our kidnapping in the appropriate forums … It is our
purpose to show the power that ordinary citizens of the world have when
they organise together to stand against injustice.”