AN INTERNATIONAL flotilla bound for Gaza carrying aid and activists has been delayed while the nine vessels taking part assemble in the eastern Mediterranean before making for their rendezvous off Cyprus. From there they will begin the voyage through Israel’s blockade to the coastal strip.
A Turkish passenger ferry, with some 600 passengers, yesterday docked at the port of Antalya to wait for the rest of the vessels to gather in Greece and make the passage to the meeting point. Greta Berlin, an organiser for the Free Gaza movement, said the convoy is expected to make the journey to the strip at the weekend.
The vessels – from Ireland, Britain, Sweden and Greece – plan to take to Gaza 10,000 tonnes of construction material, medical equipment and school supplies, along with 750-800 politicians, human rights workers and political activists from 40 countries.
Among the Irish nationals making the voyage are Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire, Dublin TDs Chris Andrews and Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Senator Mark Daly from Kerry.
In addition to essential goods for the reconstruction and health sectors, the vessels are carrying children’s toys, clothing and chocolate, all of which are not on the list of 81 items allowed into Gaza by the Israeli authorities.
Israel claims that the fleet is a provocation and the aid on board is “unnecessary”. It argues that essential goods enter Gaza through the two Israeli-operated goods crossings.
The Israeli navy says it will block the flotilla and detain those on board the boats at a camp being prepared near the southern port of Ashkelon.
The UN and international human rights organisations have called on Israel to lift the blockade which some deem “collective punishment” of the 1.5 million inhabitants of Gaza.
