RAMALLAH: Israeli police yesterday blocked Arab Members of Israeli Knesset and left-wing activists from sailing in a boat from Israel to Gaza Strip with a cargo of food and medical supplies. The police seized the boat and transferred it to the Tel Aviv Marina.
Arab and Israeli sources said that the police also seized a truck carrying equipment and medications and detained three activists for questioning.
The parliamentarians and activists were planning to dock in the Strip a day before Eid Al-Adha in protest of the Israeli blockade. Police officers contacted the boat’s owner and warned him that sailing to Gaza would be a violation of Israeli law, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. The law forbids Israeli citizens from entering Gaza, fearing that they would be in danger and that the government would be responsible for their safety.
Since the summer, international activists have made three successful boat trips from Cyprus to Gaza. Israel’s navy ignored those trips, but turned away a Libyan vessel last week.
Yesterday’s attempt was to have been the first attempt by an Israeli boat.
