The Israeli government will deport all 19 people taken in Saturday’s capture of an Irish aid ship, the Rachel Corrie that was headed to Gaza.
The Rachel Corrie was supposed to be part of last week’s flotilla attempting to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, but was held back due to mechanical difficulties.
“The 1200-ton cargo ship was purchased through a special fund set up by former Malaysian prime minister and Perdana Global Peace Organisation (PGPO) Chairman Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and is owned by The Free Gaza Movement,” said the Free Gaza Movement that organized the flotilla in a press release on Sunday.
Unlike the commandeering of the flotilla’s main ship last Monday, which left nine activists dead, Israeli commandos took control of the Rachel Corrie with no casualties.
In a statement on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Rachel Corrie as a humanitarian ship. “Yesterday, the entire world saw the difference between a humanitarian flotilla and a hate flotilla by violent, terrorism-supporting extremists.”
There were 11 activists and eight crew aboard the vessel from Ireland, Malaysia, and the U.K. One Malaysian journalist reported that Israeli authorities confiscated cameras, laptops and SIM memory cards belonging to the activists, reported the Star newspaper in Malaysia.
Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported that the ship’s cargo, including concrete, medical, and school supplies, is being inspected by Israeli authorities, which says it will deliver all materials deemed to be humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Two Lebanese organizations say they plan to send another aid ship to Gaza as early as next week, according to Israeli news site YNet.
The Rachel Corrie was supposed to be part of last week’s flotilla attempting to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, but was held back due to mechanical difficulties.
“The 1200-ton cargo ship was purchased through a special fund set up by former Malaysian prime minister and Perdana Global Peace Organisation (PGPO) Chairman Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and is owned by The Free Gaza Movement,” said the Free Gaza Movement that organized the flotilla in a press release on Sunday.
Unlike the commandeering of the flotilla’s main ship last Monday, which left nine activists dead, Israeli commandos took control of the Rachel Corrie with no casualties.
In a statement on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Rachel Corrie as a humanitarian ship. “Yesterday, the entire world saw the difference between a humanitarian flotilla and a hate flotilla by violent, terrorism-supporting extremists.”
There were 11 activists and eight crew aboard the vessel from Ireland, Malaysia, and the U.K. One Malaysian journalist reported that Israeli authorities confiscated cameras, laptops and SIM memory cards belonging to the activists, reported the Star newspaper in Malaysia.
Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported that the ship’s cargo, including concrete, medical, and school supplies, is being inspected by Israeli authorities, which says it will deliver all materials deemed to be humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Two Lebanese organizations say they plan to send another aid ship to Gaza as early as next week, according to Israeli news site YNet.