Israeli Navy Grabs Ship Bound for Gaza (Video)

Posted on Oct 20, 2012

Al-Jazeera

An activist holds a soccer ball aboard the ship.

A ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists bound for Gaza was intercepted and boarded by Israeli marines and rerouted to Israel’s southern Mediterranean port of Ashdod, where passengers could face charges of entering Israel illegally.

The Estelle left Sweden in early June and made stops at roughly 20 ports around Europe, inviting the public, media and authorities to check out the cargo and get acquainted with the passengers. At the time it was boarded, the ship was carrying 30 activists from Europe, Canada and Israel, including several European and Canadian politicians, and a cargo of cement, soccer balls, children’s books and musical instruments. No one was reported hurt in the boarding.

—Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly.

Al-Jazeera:

According to Dror Feiler, another spokesperson, the Estelle, whose passengers include five parliamentarians from Europe and a former Canadian politician, was attacked at around 08:15 GMT.

“Five or six military vessels surrounded the Estelle. Soldiers wearing masks are now trying to board the ship. The attack took place on international water: N31 26 E33 45,” Feiler said.

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