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February 6, 2009

Israel Deports Passengers After Reportedly Attacking Gaza Aid Ship
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In Israel and the Occupied Territories, the Israeli government has
deported ten passengers aboard a Lebanese ship trying to deliver aid
supplies to the Gaza Strip. The ship’s owner, Mohammed Yousseff, said
Israeli forces opened fire on the passengers and assaulted them after
coming aboard.

Mohammed Yousseff: “We contacted the ship, and we’ve been told by the
captain what happened, that it was stopped by Israelis, and it was fired
upon, and soldiers boarded the ship and attacked the captain, passengers
and crew. I appeal to the United Nations and the European countries to
protect the people on board the ship and the ship and also to send all
the aid supplies on the ship to the people in Gaza. And we are calling
on the people to help the Palestinians get rid of this blockade."

Another eighteen passengers are believed to still remain in Israeli
custody. The Brotherhood ship was carrying sixty tons of supplies,
including medical aid, food and books.



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