Gaza humanitarian aid boat 'seized'

Jul 1 2009

Eight British and Irish people are among a group of 21 human rights activists "kidnapped" by the Israeli authorities, campaigners have said.

They were on board an aid boat carrying humanitarian supplies near the Gaza coast when they were seized in international waters, according to the Free Gaza Movement.

The small boat Spirit of Humanity was on its way to deliver medical supplies to Gaza when it was allegedly stopped by Israeli warships with threats of gunfire.

The people on board on Tuesday morning who were "forcibly" taken to Israel included eight from Britain and Ireland as well as fellow activists from the United States, Denmark and the Middle East.

Israel said that the boat was attempting to enter the Gaza Strip illegally.

A spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry said the navy took control of the cargo boat after its crew ignored warnings it could not enter Gazan coastal waters. He said no shots were fired during the boarding of the boat and the humanitarian goods on board would be transferred to the Gaza Strip, "subject to authorisation".

Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney were among the group on the ship, taking aid to Gaza in the aftermath of its bombardment by Israel.

Their fellow activists included Ishmahil Blagrove, a Jamaican-born journalist based in the UK; Derek Graham, an Irish electrician: the ship's captain Denis Healey from the UK; British journalist Fathi Jaouadi; Alex Harrison, a British woman; Theresa McDermott from Scotland; Adnan Mormech from the UK; and Ms Maguire.

The group said its boat was carrying medical and reconstruction supplies as well as children's toys and could not possibly constitute any sort of threat to Israel. The vessel was searched and received security clearance from the Cypriot Port Authorities before departing and never approached Israeli waters, they said.

The UK wants Israel to open the crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid and has "repeatedly" raised this issue with the Israeli government, the Foreign Office said. British people are advised not to travel to Gaza, including its waters.