Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Israeli Forces Threaten to Board Gaza Aid Ship

   Military says the ship has ignored orders to divert its course

     05 June 2010
   An  image taken from an Israeli naval ship showing efforts to halt the
   flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists in international waters Monday

Photo: AP

   An  image taken from an Israeli naval ship showing efforts to halt the
   flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists in international waters Monday

   Israeli  forces have said they will board a cargo ship carrying aid if
   it does not divert from its course to the Gaza Strip.
   The  Irish-owned  Rachel  Corrie  was  in  international  waters early
   Saturday,  where Israeli officials say it ignored repeated warnings to
   take its cargo to the Israeli port of Ashdod. Â
   The  pro-Palestinian activists on board, including a Nobel Peace Prize
   laureate,  have said they are determined to deliver the 20 tons of aid
   to Gaza but will not resist if Israeli forces board the ship.
   Israeli  Prime  Minister  Benjamin  Netanyahu  has  instructed Israeli
   forces not to harm the activists.  He has also said the ship will not
   be allowed to reach Gaza.
   This  is  the second attempt within a week by the "Free Gaza Movement"
   to  deliver  aid  to Gaza.  On Monday, eight Turks and an American of
   Turkish origin were killed after Israeli commandos boarded their ship.
   Israel  said  it  will  allow  the aid to be shipped to Gaza, but only
   after being inspected by U.N. and Irish officials.

   The vessel is one of several ships organized by a Turkish group trying
   to break a 3-year blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza by Israel and Egypt.
   On  Friday,  the  U.S.  State  Department  urged  all parties to avoid
   another   deadly  confrontation.  Spokesman  P.J.  Crowley  said  U.S.
   officials  have  been  in  touch  with  the Irish government and other
   countries about the situation.
   White  House spokesman Mike Hammer said Friday the U.S. believes it is
   a priority to provide aid to the people of Gaza.
   Turkey  condemned  Israel  for Monday's raid and has threatened to cut
   ties.   Turkish  media  report  Ankara  is  also  pursuing a possible
   criminal case against Israel in international court.
   Meanwhile,  U.S.  Middle  East  envoy  George  Mitchell  met  with Mr.
   Netanyahu  Friday  as  Mitchell completed the latest round of indirect
   talks  between  Israel  and  the  Palestinians.   Mitchell  met  with
   Palestinian  President  Mahmoud  Abbas earlier in the week in the West
   Bank.

   Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

.