Gaza Boats Leaving at Midnight (Their Time)

Tweet Last update - 06:47 21/08/2008
Despite Israel's blockade, boats in Cyprus pass inspection for Gaza protest
By The Associated Press
Tags: Gaza Strip, Cyprus, blockade

LARNACA, Cyprus - Cyprus will allow two boats carrying members of a U.S.-based
activist group to sail for Gaza in defiance of Israel's blockade of the
Palestinian territory, authorities here said Wednesday.

The two wooden sailboats have passed a safety inspection, Cyprus' Merchant
Shipping Director Serghios Serghiou said.

He said the boats have also been given safety certificates from Greece, where
the vessels are registered.

We have not prohibited the departure of the boat, Serghiou told The Associated
Press.

Protest organizer Paul Larudee said the boats - the 21-meterFree Gaza and
18-meter Liberty - will set sail around midnight tonight from Larnaca port for
the estimated 30-hour trip.

Members of the Free Gaza protest group said some 40 activists from 16
countries, including 81-year-old Catholic nun Anne Montgomery, will attempt to
break the blockade Israel imposed on Gaza last year in a bid to set a precedent
for others to follow.

They plan to deliver 200 hearing aids to a Palestinian charity for children and
hand out 5,000 balloons.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said the ministry had told activists in a
letter that all humanitarian aid should be delivered through Israeli-controlled
border crossings. But Mekel refused to say how Israel would respond if the
activists tried to break the blockade.

Thomas Nelson, 64, said the group expects the Israeli navy to intercept the
boats and arrest those onboard. The Portland, Oregon-based attorney said
activists plan to resist any attempts to arrest them in a non-violent way.

Nelson said there is no security threat to Israel here, except the truth and
Israel is afraid of the truth.

Nelson said lawyers from the U.S.-based National Lawyers' Guild would file
legal action against Israel in an appropriate legal forum if Israeli
authorities kidnap activists in international waters.