The Gaza Freedom Flotilla II remains determined to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestine people, coordinator Manuel Tapia, informed.

Activists from nearly 20 countries aboard a dozen vessels plan to protest Israel and transport 5,000 tons of aid to Gaza.

However, the humanitarian convoy has been blocked in Greece since July 1, when Greek authorities banned all the vessels from setting sail to the Palestine territory, blockaded by Israel for the last five years.

One of the vessels that was able to travel to the Middle East, the French ship the Dignité Al Karama, was attacked on Tuesday by Israeli navy commandos, who arrested the activists on board.

Israel deals with Gaza flotilla II with lessons learnt

Israeli naval commandos boarded the only ship participating in the second Gaza flotilla Tuesday without any violent resistance from the passengers and crew.

The takeover was in stark contrast to last year’s events when nine pro-Palestinian activists, mainly Turkish, in the “Mavi Marmara” ship were killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers as Israel intercepted the first flotilla.

Turkey Israel Relations Still on Jeopardy

Greek navy forces intercepted the ships Tahrir and Agios Nikolaos when they were traveling to Gaza in early July.

Although Greek authorities state their objective is to prevent dangerous situations, flotilla activists accuse Athens of bowing to pressure from Israel, unlike Turkey who threatened and shut doors on reconciliation with Gaza flotilla raid of last year.

 

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