28/09/2010 Israeli warships on Tuesday intercepted an aid ship, holding Jewish activists aiming at broking the blockade of Gaza, and diverted the vessel to an Israeli port.
Amjad al-Shawa, a Gaza-based organizer, told AFP that ten "Israeli warships forced the boat to head for (the Israeli port) of Ashdod by force, but without raiding the ship."
"They surrendered because they were surrounded. They had no choice," he added.
Shawa said the warships had surrounded the tiny British-flagged vessel and warned they would stop it by force if it stayed on course for Gaza.
Earlier, Yonatan Shapira, one of the Jewish activists on board, said the navy had made contact and ordered the "Irene" to change course.
"They said we were approaching an area under naval blockade and told us to change course," Shapira told AFP by satellite telephone, saying the boat was about 20 miles from the Gaza coast.
The military had no immediate comment on the situation and refused to confirm that contact had been made with the boat, which is carrying seven Jewish activists from the occupied Palestine, Britain, Germany and the United States, and two journalists.
Activists on board "Irene" said they meant to prove, among other things, that Tel Aviv's treatment of the Palestinians is not favored by all Jews.
In May, Israeli occupation forces intercepted a six-ship flotilla heading for Gaza killing nine Turkish activists, including one with US citizenship, prompting a wave of international condemnation.
(AFP)
[ 28/09/2010 - 03:07 PM ]
GAZA, (PIC)-- Israeli marines on Tuesday boarded and took control of the Gaza-bound aid ship "Irene", operated by Jewish human rights activists, forcing it to dock at the port of Ashdod, according to Palestinian sources.
The ship is carrying symbolic aid for Gaza composed of toys, books, fishing equipment, and medicines.
The popular committee against the siege held Israel fully responsible for the lives of the activists and called on the international community to intervene to protect the ship and the passengers aboard and secure their safe arrival to Gaza.
The aid ship voyage was organized and financed by a coalition of Jewish peace organizations from nine European countries called: "European Jews for a Just Peace".
There are ten Jewish peace activists and two journalists on board the aid ship.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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