Sunday Globe Special: Israel Interdicts Another Gazan Aid Ship

And the "world community" doesn't even bat an eye.

"Israeli naval vessels take control of boat headed for Gaza" by Diaa Hadid  |  Associated Press, October 21, 2012

JERUSALEM — Israeli troops commandeered a Gaza-bound ship that tried to break through Israel’s blockade of the Hamas-ruled seaside strip on Saturday, the military said. European lawmakers and other pro-Palestinian activists aboard did not resist, and the Finnish-flagged vessel was diverted to an Israeli port.

The trip by the ship, Estelle, marked the latest challenge to the air, land, and sea embargo of Gaza that Israel imposed after the Islamic militant Hamas group seized the territory in 2007. Israeli officials say they need to enforce the blockade to prevent weapons smuggling.

Actually, they WON ELECTIONS and the AmeriKan media KNOWS they WON ELECTIONS -- and yet they STILL PROMULGATE a LIE!!  

That being the case they are NOT TO BE BELIEVED or TRUSTED on all things Palestine! Interesting that Hamas seized territory and yet Israel's siege is never referred to as such.

Hamas called for more attempts to break the sea blockade.

As do I.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement praising the military for enforcing the blockade, said there ‘‘is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza,’’ and accused the activists of trying to ‘‘provoke and slander Israel’s name.’’

Israel does that by its actions. 

‘‘If human rights were really important to these activists they would have sailed for Syria. We will continue to protect our borders,’’ he said.

Don't change the subject. 

Six Israeli naval vessels stopped the Estelle when it was about 30 nautical miles from Gaza. Masked soldiers boarded the ship and ordered it to sail to Israel’s Ashdod port, said Victoria Strand, a spokeswoman for the activists.

The Swedish-owned Estelle left Naples on Oct. 7 with about 30 people from eight countries, including lawmakers from Norway, Sweden, Greece, and Spain, as well as Israeli activists and a 79-year-old former legislator from Canada.

Israeli military spokeswoman Lieutenant Avital Leibovich accused the activists of staging a provocation.


‘‘We have this blockade because there are constant smuggling attempts of weapons, munitions, that eventually reach the hands of terror organizations inside Gaza,’’ she said. 

The ship was checked at every port and nothing like that was found -- at all. 

Although Hamas and Israel have maintained an unwritten truce for more than two years, violence occasionally flares in the area. 

It's a one-sided truce, but I expect the skewish journalism these days. 

Most recently, an Israeli strike on a prominent Al Qaeda-inspired jihadi prompted two days of tit-for-tat rocket fire and strikes last week.

Excuse me, but I've gotta take a crap. 

Strand said the takeover of the Estelle by Israeli forces was a ‘‘demonstration of ruthlessness.’’ The ship was carrying cement, basketballs, and musical instruments, she said.

Israel, aided by Egypt, closed Gaza’s borders after Hamas seized control and drove out forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas more than five years ago.

There they go again.

Israel eased its restrictions after its raid of a Turkish-led blockade-busting flotilla in 2010 left nine activists dead and sparked international condemnation.

Not really, but you know. 

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