JERUSALEM: An announcement by an Arab Israeli lawmaker that he plans to join a pro-Palestinian flotilla seeking to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza caused outrage Monday among the country’s political class.

Basel Ghattas, an MP with the Joint Arab List, sparked controversy after he announced he would join other parliamentarians and public figures from around the world in the latest attempt to reach Gaza by ship later this month.

Gaza has been subjected to an Israeli blockade for nine years, which includes a complete ban on ships entering or leaving the coastal enclave’s waters.

Pro-Palestinian activists have repeatedly tried to reach the Hamas-run Gaza Strip by sea but have been blocked by the Israeli Navy.

Ghattas on Monday repeated his demand that the “freedom flotilla” be allowed to enter Gaza peacefully, adding that suffering by residents of the coastal strip was being neglected.

“The central issue here is the fact that the Israeli public is trying to ignore the fact that there are two million Palestinians just 50 km from Tel Aviv living in disgraceful poverty and hunger,” he told army radio.

One of the boats involved in the bid is a Swedish trawler called “Marianne of Gothenburg” which set sail from Sicily on Friday evening.

It is expected to meet up with several other vessels in the coming days to form what is being referred to as the Freedom Flotilla III, organizers say.

They are expected to try and reach Gaza before the end of the month.