Gaza flotilla delayed, Israel warns it will be stopped by force

Gaza flotilla delayed after mystery faults hit two boats



Sabotage claim as Israeli navy is poised to intercept pro-Palestinian convoy

By Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem


Hamas naval police prepare for the flotilla in Gaza yesterday

AP

Hamas naval police prepare for the flotilla in Gaza yesterday















A Gaza-bound flotilla's confrontation with the Israeli navy was delayed yesterday after mystery faults developed simultaneously in two of its boats. The Greek Cypriot government also
prevented up to another 30 pro-Palestinian activists – including
European parliamentarians – from joining the crafts.


The flotilla, now down to five instead of the original eight boats, is carrying 10,000 tons of aid supplies and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists. It prepared to leave Cypriot
waters en route to Gaza last night despite warnings by Israel that it
would be stopped – by force if necessary – from landing in the besieged
territory.

The voyage – the biggest effort yet to break through the three-year blockade of Gaza – had been described by senior Israeli spokesmen as a "cheap political stunt" and "an attempt
at violent propaganda against Israel". But Greta Berlin, one of the
flotilla's organisers, said yesterday that it had been mounted by
"intrepid civilians who are doing something [about the siege of Gaza]
because their governments don't".

Israel has made it clear that its navy is ready to arrest the flotilla's passengers and hand them over to civilian authorities for deportation or trial if they ignore warnings to turn
back or yield control of their vessels to the military. Israel's Deputy
Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon, said: "We will not let this flotilla get
through. It harms Israeli security."

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh claimed that, either way, the flotilla would bring the end of a blockade imposed when the Islamic
faction seized control of the strip after its coalition with Fatah broke
down in June 2007. As he toured Gaza City's fishing harbour, he told
around 400 supporters: "If the ships reach Gaza, it's a victory for
Gaza. If they are intercepted and terrorised by the Zionists, it will be
a victory for Gaza, too, and they will move again in new ships to break
the siege of Gaza."

The Greek Cypriot authorities, under pressure from Israel, refused to allow the boats to dock at its ports. They also prevented passengers who had flown to
Cyprus to join the flotilla, including MPs from various European
countries, to transfer on to the vessels. Yesterday's delay came as
attempts were made for an alternative embarkation from the Turkish
Cypriot port of Famagusta.

Turkey has been the most prominent national supporter of the flotilla, with its Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging Israel to let the boats through.
Israel's alliance with Ankara was severely strained by the 2008-09
military offensive in Gaza.

Meanwhile, two of the movement's small passenger boats developed mechanical trouble at around 3.30pm on Friday as they neared the Cyprus coast from Crete. Last
week, another vessel was delayed leaving Ireland by a propeller fault.

While saying Free Gaza was still awaiting details of Friday's malfunction from the boats' captains, Ms Berlin said the coincidence of faults developing in all three boats had given rise to
speculation of possible sabotage. Claiming that one Israeli official had
indicated that the best tactic would be to pick off the boats one by
one before they joined the flotilla, she added: "As far as I am
concerned, there is a suspicion that this is what was done."

Israel has accused the participants of betraying their claim to be human rights activists by ignoring Hamas's attacks on Israeli civilians and internal repression within Gaza. Critics of the
blockade argue that it has harmed and impoverished the 1.5 million
population of Gaza while leaving the rule of Hamas intact, and even
entrenched..

Views: 35

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Olivia Brooks updated their profile
1 hour ago
kacang99 updated their profile
3 hours ago
John Miller was featured
4 hours ago
tjdavis's 2 blog posts were featured
4 hours ago
Zfort Group's blog post was featured
4 hours ago
Doc Vega's 6 blog posts were featured
4 hours ago
Burbia commented on tjdavis's video
Thumbnail

“What’s His Motive?” - Inside The Mind of George Soros

"Trump calls for George Soros and son to face federal…"
9 hours ago
Burbia commented on tjdavis's photo
9 hours ago
Profile Iconkacang99, Seeta Sathe and Olivia Brooks joined 12160 Social Network
10 hours ago
tjdavis posted a video

Mossad, Terrifying CIA Technology, Blackwater & The Most Secret CIA Unit | John Kiriakou

John Kiriakou served 15 years in the CIA as a Case Officer (Spy) and as CIA's Head of Counterterrorism Operations in Pakistan where he lead the raid that cap...
18 hours ago
tjdavis posted a photo
19 hours ago
tjdavis posted a video

A Critique of the Tavistock Institute - The Mother Of All Conspiracy Theories

An examination of the Tavistock Institute, a theory which seeks to explain how Western societies have been brainwashed by a cabal of social scientists and th...
Sunday
tjdavis posted a video

“What’s His Motive?” - Inside The Mind of George Soros

In this short clip, Patrick Bet-David, Sebastian Gorka Adam Sosnick, and Tom Ellsworth George Soros and what motivates him to do the things he does. FaceTime...
Thursday
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Wednesday
cheeki kea favorited Bob of the Family Renner's photo
Aug 26
cheeki kea commented on Doc Vega's blog post Plausible Explanation Behind Recent Cryptid Sightings in the Wild!
"If you're ever out there Doc V and notice giant two legged birds roaming the wilderness be…"
Aug 26
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Aug 26
Burbia commented on TommyD's group The Chuckle Hut
Aug 25
Doc Vega posted blog posts
Aug 24
Doc Vega posted photos
Aug 23

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted