France24 - Jewish activists set sail to defy Gaza blockadeReuven Moskovitz, an 82-year-old passenger who survived the Nazi Holocaust, told AFP he felt duty-bound to attempt the voyage, which is expected to take around 36 hours.
"It is a sacred duty for me, as a (Holocaust) survivor, to protest against the persecution, the oppression and the imprisonment of so many people in Gaza, including more than 800,000 children," Moskovitz said.
The Israeli military says it has taken control of a boat carrying Jewish activists to the Gaza Strip and was towing it into an Israeli port.
Israel had promised to stop the Irene, which was trying to breach a three-year naval blockade of Gaza.
Earlier this year, Israeli commandos killed nine people in clashes on board a Turkish ship trying to reach Gaza.
Israel says its blockade is designed to prevent weapons being smuggled to Hamas militants who run the territory.
Latest attempt
Israeli naval forces boarded the Irene "without incident" on Tuesday morning some 20 miles (30km) off the Gaza coast, the military said.
Naval forces were towing the boat to an Israeli port, it added.
Earlier, organisers of the voyage said the 10m (32-foot) catamaran was being blocked by an Israeli warship and trailed by several smaller boats, including one with machine-guns mounted on the front and back. BBC Middle East
As promised by the Israeli Navy, the Irene has been boarded and is now headed into Ashdod.
Laws....do we really need more.
I was stuck at the DMV and searched the Blackberry App Store for something to do.
I found a game that lets me throw shoes at former President Bush Jr. and Bush Sr.
It is named 2010 DC and is available on the Blackberry App world.
God Bless the First Amendment
Looks like the Turks have a thing or two to learn...
The "Irene" made its point of registering protest with the maritime blockade and those on board acted in an honorable and peaceful fashion. Assuming all the goods on board were of a humanitarian nature--and the non-violent response provides a hint that they were--they will be delivered via land to the Gaza Strip. In the meantime, those on board succeeded in registering their political opposition to the maritime blockade while respecting Israel's security needs during that protest.
The Irene was a much easier vessel to board and stop if necessary, I do admire the bravery of those involved on both sides of this incident - there remains legitimate cause for protest even if some elements of the Gaza blockade have been eased.
The "Irene" made its point of registering protest with the maritime blockade and those on board acted in an honorable and peaceful fashion. Assuming all the goods on board were of a humanitarian nature--and the non-violent response provides a hint that they were--they will be delivered via land to the Gaza Strip. In the meantime, those on board succeeded in registering their political opposition to the maritime blockade while respecting Israel's security needs during that protest.
Others here believe that the legitimate cause of protest is that Hamas is denied access to weapons,a s it is engaged in a legitimate fight against Israel (and apparently its civilian population, which it targets).
Again, given that Israel has said it will allow in any humanitarian goods that are delivered through Israel, can you remaind me what the legitimate cause of protest is?
When I come into the Middle East Forum it sometimes feels like I am walking into the Twilight Zone. If this were the U.S. no one would consider this behavior acceptable. If it were China, hell, people would go bat**** insane and start letter-writing campaigns. However, when Israel cracks down on a protest they're given a pat on the back and any improprieties blamed on the protesters.
When I come into the Middle East Forum it sometimes feels like I am walking into the Twilight Zone. If this were the U.S. no one would consider this behavior acceptable. If it were China, hell, people would go bat**** insane and start letter-whriting campaigns. However, when Israel cracks down on a protest they're given a pat on the back and any improprieties blamed on the protesters.
Israel professes that it just wants to be 'one of the lads' in international terms but always seems to expect VIP treatment on a night out.
In this case I don't get the drama, as no one was hurt and the illegal attempt to run a blockade has been stopped.
In the meantime, those on board succeeded in registering their political opposition to the maritime blockade while respecting Israel's security needs during that protest.
Nevertheless your words here are quite bizarre, too, as anyone could tell you that people have gone bat**** insane about Israel's actions regarding the attempts to run its blockade, this forum is but a shard of the evidence.
Seeking to be treated as an equal among sovereign states is anything but seeking VIP treatment.
Seeking to be treated as an equal among sovereign states is anything but seeking VIP treatment.
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