Aid ships head from Turkish port to Gaza

[bemildred]

Two boats carrying pro-Palestinian activists have reached international waters of the eastern Mediterranean and are making their way towards the Gaza Strip, in the latest attempt to break the Israeli blockade against the territory.

The Tahrir, or Canadian Boat to Gaza, and the MV Saoirse, the Irish boat to Gaza, left the port of Fethiye in southwest Turkey on Wednesday after Turkish authorities gave them permission to sail to the Greek island of Rhodes.

The Turkish coast guard briefly escorted the ships before the Tahrir and Saoirse took a turn towards Gaza.

Sailing under the flag of the Comoros Islands, the Tahrir is carrying six activists, a captain and five journalists.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/11/201111213194344964.html

[bemildred]

1. Israel Navy tracks new Gaza-bound flotilla

The Israeli Navy is tracking two ships, believed be part of a new flotilla to Gaza, that departed Wednesday from Turkey headed for the Gaza Strip, according to the IDF spokesperson.

The IDF intends to intercept the vessels if they continue on their course.

According to information obtained by security services, the two ships left Turkey after announcing their intentions to sale to Rhodes. There is no information presently that indicates Turkish involvement in the flotilla.

The passengers on the two ships - a small ship named “Al-Tahrir” and a yacht named "the Saoirse" are believed to be activists in two pro-Palestinian organizations from Ireland and Canada.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-navy-tracks-new-gaza-bound-flotilla-1.393365

[jimmie]

2. I do hope these people....

can swim well.

[Violet_Crumble]

3. Why would you hope that? n/t

[azurnoir]

4. The ships have been boarded by IDF who claims no injuries

they activists say they are carrying medications for the Gaza strip

The Israeli military boarded on Friday two vessels bound for the Gaza Strip, activists and army officials said.

The Tahrir, a yacht crewed by Canadian activists, was being boarded about 35 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip, activists on board announced Friday afternoon. Contact with the boat ended shortly thereafter.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=435163