NEWS
(IsraelNN.com) European Union (EU) Parliament members plan to join a third sailing on Friday to Gaza, where the Israeli government has backed down twice from enforcing its sovereignty over coastal waters.
Spokesmen for the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister's office said they have not yet decided whether to try to stop the next boat, which is scheduled to reach Gaza on the Sabbath with 13 members of the EU Parliament.
However, the government has twice backed away from an announced policy to use force, if necessary, to stop the boats from reaching the Gaza beach. The Foreign Ministry said it changed course in late August and allowed two "Free Gaza" boats to land in order to prevent extensive media coverage of the IDF keeping the travelers at sea or arresting them.
The office of the Prime Minister and the IDF rejected the ministry's advice to stop the second sailing last week and allowed the boat to land without interference.
The activists so far have scored positive media coverage through the names "Free Gaza" and by calling the latest boat the SS Dignity. They have successfully broken the Israeli claim of sovereignty over the coastal waters, which Israel has said is necessary in order to keep terrorists from smuggling arms and explosions into Gaza.
The "Free Gaza" movement claims that Israel has no legal right to control the coastal waters or to close the crossing into Gaza from the western Negev. International media have repeatedly reported that Gaza is under "siege". Israel has kept the crossings open for daily shipments of humanitarian goods, including medicines, except for occasional closings following Kassam rocket attacks on Gaza Belt communities.
Several passengers, who remained in Gaza for several days, claimed that the Israeli Navy shot at them, causing some injuries. The IDF said that several fishing boats have crossed into prohibited territory and that the Navy responded with "acceptable procedures." IDF spokesmen maintained there were no bodily injuries.
The activists plan to bring with them on the upcoming excursion one ton of medical supplies to be distributed to Gaza hospitals. Israeli government officials deny that there is a shortage of essential medicines and have stated that the boats are free to dock at Ashkelon, where officials would forward supplies.
Lord Nazir Ahmad, head of the European delegates who plan to sail this Friday, stated, "Egypt did not allow us to enter Gaza via the Rafiah terminal, but this will not stop us from visiting the area. We will sail to Gaza. We are determined to break the siege."
Egypt has refused entry permits to 53 international legislators who want to attend a four-day conference in Gaza next week. British Member of Parliament Clare Short added, "The Egyptian refusal to grant us access through Rafiah Crossing is insulting to all of us, and Egypt should open the crossing now."
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