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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Gaza-bound Libyan ship challenges Israeli navy |
| 2010-07-13 |
| Either a poor choice of words or a poor choice of tactics. Maybe both. [Al Arabiya Latest] Israeli authorities have given a Gaza-bound Libyan aid ship an ultimatum of midnight on Tuesday to change course, in a radio contact with the vessel, an organizer of the mission on board said. "Israeli authorities have given us until midnight tonight to change course and head to the (Egyptian) port of El-Arish, otherwise they are threatening to intercept the boat with their navy," Mashallah Zwei said. Zwei, a member of the Gaddafi Foundation charity which organized the shipment, told AFP by satellite phone that the Israelis were told the request would be "studied before a response is given." The latest attempt to run Israel's naval blockade on Gaza comes six weeks after a deadly Israeli naval raid in which nine Turkish activists were killed. However, in response to the Israeli order to head for El Arish, "the captain of the Libyan ship and the head of the foundation team on board reaffirmed that the ship's destination is Gaza and no other place," the charity said in a statement. "The Israelis contacted us and threatened to send their warships to intercept the boat and escort it toward the (Israeli) port of Ashdod if we do not change course," Zwei said earlier. "We explained to the Israeli authorities that our original destination was Gaza and that we are not here for a provocation," said Zwei, whose foundation is run by Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam. "We also specified that we are transporting only foodstuffs and medicines and we asked them to let us discharge our cargo in Gaza," he said. In Israel, a military spokesman said it has "begun preparations" to prevent the ship from reaching the Gaza Strip in defiance of a naval blockade on the Palestinian territory. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 Sink it. If Israel doesn't, this sh$$ will continue until either Israel is broke, or someone succeeds and they lose. Blowing it out of the water sends a very clear message that you won't put up with this nonsense any longer, and will react with force to ANY incursion. Sane people will take note and stop: insane people deserve what they get. Islam is insanity cubed. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2010-07-13 19:23 |
| #2 Here we go again... I wouldn't be suprised if it gets boarded and sweeped, then let through if the cargo is legit.. Good pr on world scene for Israelis , although only lvl headed folk will think so |
| Posted by: Elmineque Guelph9545 2010-07-13 15:41 |
| #1 Either a poor choice of words or a poor choice of tactics. As much as I despise these zealots, I'm hoping for the latter. |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-07-13 13:55 |