Rachel Corrie aid ship 'tailed by Israeli warships'

Belfast Telegraph

One of the last ships on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Irish-owned MV Rachel Corrie, is being tailed by the Israeli navy, according to reports.

Shortly after 5am Israel time, Greta Berlin of the Free Gaza movement that sent the 1,200-ton Rachel Corrie said the vessel was 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Gaza's shores.

"There were two warships in the back of them ... and a smaller boat was approaching," Berlin said from the movement's headquarters in Cyprus, citing a passenger on board.

The ship, named after an American woman killed by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza in 2003, is making its slow journey towards Gaza despite the deadly commando attack by Israeli troops earlier in the week.

The activists' latest attempt to crack the blockade will test Israel's resolve as it faces a wave of international outrage over its deadly takeover of another aid ship earlier this week. Israel has not commented on the reports.

The MV Rachel Corrie, carrying some 750 tons of of aid including medical and school supplies, was meant to have travelled with the original convoy but was delayed by mechanical trouble which activists say they suspect was sabotage carried out by Israel.

Activists on the vessel, including Belfast-born Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire and former UN assistant secretary general Denis Halliday, insisted they would not resist if Israeli soldiers tried to take over their vessel. 

Irish minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Micheál Martin, TD said yesterday: “The Irish government has made clear that it believes that the Rachel Corrie should be allowed to proceed to Gaza and to unload its humanitarian cargo. Those on board the Rachel Corrie have indicated that they are ready to accept inspection of their cargo at sea, prior to docking in Gaza. However, the Israeli government has stated that it is not willing to allow any breach of their naval blockade of Gaza.

"The Irish government urges the Israeli Government to ensure the transfer to Gaza of the entire cargo of the Rachel Corrie, including cement which is urgently needed for the reconstruction of Gaza. The government continues to call on Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza. Pending that, Israel should immediately facilitate the import into Gaza of all goods, other than weapons.”

Diplomatic fallout and protests across Europe and the Muslim world have increased pressure to end the embargo Israel imposed after the Islamic militant Hamas group seized power in Gaza three years ago.

The blockade has plunged the territory's 1.5 million residents deeper into poverty and sharply raised Middle East tensions as the US makes a new push for regional peace.....   Full story