The Israeli military have vowed to send naval vessels to intercept and turn back a 'Freedom Flotilla' heading for Gaza that includes the Irish ship MV Rachel Corrie. The ship, named after activist Rachel Corrie who was killed in Gaza, left Ireland on May 14, bound for the Mediterranean.
The Free Gaza Movement bought her at auction for €70,000, planning to send her to Gaza loaded with cement, paper, and medical equipment, all banned by Israel.
Israel criticized the activists for what it described as a propaganda stunt, while Turkey urged Israeli authorities to treat the convoy as humanitarian aid. A Turkish human rights group is one of the organizers.
The boats will converge at a meeting point in international waters east of Cyprus, probably late on Friday, and then head across the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea toward Gaza."We are planning on going. This is not going to stop us. The boats are already on their way," said Greta Berlin, a spokeswoman for the Free Gaza Movement.
Israel has urged the convoy to turn back, saying its navy was prepared to intercept it. Israel says relief aid is already flowing into Gaza though approved channels.
"If they were really interested in the wellbeing of the people of Gaza, they would have accepted the offers of Egypt or Israel to transfer humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza," Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said.
"Instead they have chosen a cheap political stunt," he said, referring to the activists.
