Israeli Navy Grabs Ship Bound for Gaza (Video)
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.
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.
Wait, before you go…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.
If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
Support Truthdig
Hunger, sickness, terror, despair and Israeli military violence routinely afflict and kill the entrapped people of Gaza. The new film “Killing Gaza” explains in heartbreaking detail why Palestinians have been risking their lives during seven weeks of nonviolent protests.
Richard Falk, who for six years served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights, argues in a recent interview that there is no evidence that Israel’s air campaign has decreased rocket fire from Gaza. Likewise the claim that Hamas uses human shields is unfounded and Israel’s siege of Gaza is missing from media accounts of the cause of the current conflict, he contends.
Operation Protective Edge has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Palestinians in recent weeks, compared with 56 Israeli soldiers and four civilians. It's long past time for Israel to consider a two-state solution, stop the creeping encroachment of the occupation, and end a blockade that "ensures that ever more Palestinians grow up angry," The Economist writes.
The Audacity of Hope, an American ship in the defiant Freedom Flotilla 2, tried to set sail for Gaza on Friday afternoon but was stopped by the Greek coast guard shortly after leaving port. (more)