The ship
called ‘the Estelle’ is expected to reach Gaza within two weeks time.
The
Israeli Navy is preparing to intercept the latest Gaza-bound ship carrying
European pro-Palestinian activists who are expected to reach Gaza in two weeks
time.
An
Israeli military source confirmed that the navy had carried out general
preparations for future ships filled with activists. The Estelle, sailing under
a Swedish flag, set sail in June and has stopped at numerous European ports
trying to drum up support and publicity.
Israel
will not allow the vessel to reach Gaza, an Israeli Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman said on Oct. 2, Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported
yesterday. Her remarks came after the organizers of the flotilla announced they
had received clearance in La Spezia, Italy, to set sail and were expected to
reach Gaza within two weeks.
“This is
the same old, same old … The organizers know that they are not going to be
allowed to reach Gaza, and are just trying to make noise,” Ilana Stein said of
the Estelle, adding that Israel was not overly concerned about the matter.
In May
2010, several aid ships trying to run Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip were
halted by Israeli naval commandos, who killed nine pro-Palestinian Turks aboard
Mavi Marmara, one of the vessels. A second convoy, planned a year later, did
not sail after the organizers said they had been sabotaged.
Mattias
Gardell, a spokesperson for the group set to fill the Estelle, said: “It will
send a message of non-violence. If they have a choice, we hope the Israel won’t
do anything when we come toward Gaza.”
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