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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Libya Group Says Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Ship |
| 2010-07-13 |
| An Israeli navy boat intercepted a Libyan aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip and told the crew that it won't be allowed to reach the Palestinian territory, the organizers of the shipment said. "Tell her to heave to, Bo'sun!" The Tripoli-based Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, which is behind the plan to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, didn't provide any further details in its faxed statement today. "Put a shot across her bows, Gunner!" The Israel military made radio contact with the ship and asked about its destination and passengers, an Israeli army spokesman said by phone, speaking anonymously according to regulation. The army hasn't received a reply, the spokesman said. The Al-Jazeera news channel said in a news flash that the Israeli military told the ship to head to an Egyptian port. "A little higher next time, Gunner!" Nine pro-Palestinian activists from Turkey were killed on May 31 after Israeli commandos raided one of six aid ships in a flotilla trying to breach the embargo. Israel loosened its restrictions on the transport of goods by road into Gaza in response to international criticism of the operation, though it maintains a naval blockade of the area. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in an interview on Army Radio two days ago that the boat would not be allowed to reach Gaza under "any circumstances." Israel and Egypt have been blockading Gaza since Hamas seized full control there in 2007 after winning Palestinian parliamentary elections the previous year. The Islamist militant group is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., the European Union and Israel. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #1 haaretz article here essentially the same content as in article, i.e. Boat captain says they are heading for Al Arish but we won't be certain for another 12 hours or so |
| Posted by: lord garth 2010-07-13 13:13 |