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Israel vows to prevent second protest boat from reaching Gaza By Barak Ravid Tags: Gaza Strip, protest boat  Israel has decided to prevent an additional group of left-wing activists from reaching Gaza by sea. About 20 passengers, most of them members of the Free Gaza organization, are expected to set sail for the Strip on Wednesday from Cyprus. MK Jamal Zahalka (Balad) will most likely be aboard along with 1976 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mairead Corrigan. Two months ago, members of the organization sailed from Cyprus to Gaza under the slogan "breaking the blockade." The Prime Minister's Office and Foreign Ministry viewed the move as a provocative propaganda stunt, intended to provoke a confrontation with the IDF. A day before the boat was to arrive at the shores of Gaza, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak held a consultation and decided to allow the boat to reach land - and thereby block the activists' plans to create an international incident. Nevertheless, in discussions held over the past few weeks between the PMO, Foreign Ministry and the IDF, it was decided that this time the boat would not be allowed to reach Gaza. "The first time we wanted to prevent a provocation, but if it is to become a routine, then we will have to make it clear we will not allow it," said a senior official in Jerusalem. Advertisement Egypt also prevented the sailing of a similar ship a few weeks ago from Alexandria to Gaza. The Israel Navy will stop the activists' vessel once it reaches Israel's territorial waters, it was decided. If the ship turns around, then the IDF will not use any force. However, if the activists decide to sail on toward Gaza, the IDF will take control of the ship, by force if necessary, and tow it to Ashdod port. The activists will be arrested for illegal entry and will be deported to Cyprus or to their home countries. The left-wing activists were scheduled to set sail yesterday, but they were delayed by bad weather. If the weather improves, they will leave today. The ship's passengers are to including a number of journalists, including from international networks such as Al Jazeera. Related articles: Blockade-busters sail from Gaza, with 7 Palestinians Arab League chief praises activists who challenged Gaza siege Israel may use force to halt boat trying to break Gaza siege Bookmark to del.icio.us   Damaging remarks Right-wing MK Lieberman says Egyptian president Mubarak can "go to hell." Joe on Israel Overnight media sensation says Obama presidency would spell "death of Israel."   1.   TOW them to Darfur !! Let those morons see real misery 04:04  |  PETER SM 29/10/08   2.   Israel to prove Free Gaza effort is correct... 04:32  |  BBSNews 29/10/08   3.   no let them get in but make it clear tht there is no way out 04:33  |  difronamia 29/10/08   4.   Drench them with water cannons 05:17  |  Conroy 29/10/08   5.   I thought Israel was an occupying force in Gaza? 05:40  |  Kim 29/10/08   6.   Israel, show your real face! 05:43  |  Niva dos Santos 29/10/08   7.   Cool Israel 06:21  |  Peleh 29/10/08   8.   Israel Ship Must Carry a Propaganda Flag:Free Shalit 06:41  |  Peleh 29/10/08   9.   Put "Free Gilad" banners on the Navy boats 07:13  |  Quenny 29/10/08   10.   The world is watching you Israel. 07:36  |  Maureen Ann 29/10/08   11.   Israel will stop Peace Boat 08:07  |  Fredy Ross 29/10/08   12.   Media people? 08:19  |  Jean Van Daem 29/10/08   13.   Peace Boat #9 08:38  |  JW 29/10/08   14.   FREDDY" Peace Boat"? To discuss the Hamas No Peace Ever policy 09:09  |  PETER SM 29/10/08   15.   Protest boat? 09:49  |  David Nigel Braham 29/10/08   16.   DON`T PLAY THEIR GAME !! 09:51  |  David 29/10/08   17.   The boat arrived in Gaza safely. 09:52  |  Fred 29/10/08   18.   Three boats have made it 09:53  |  Gazawi 29/10/08   19.   typical jews, or are they 09:54  |  Refugee 29/10/08   20.   good decision by the government 09:54  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 29/10/08   21.   It`s arrived in Gaza unmolested - YNET 10:03  |  Chanalau, Tova 29/10/08   22.   Israel claims to have withdrawn from Gaza 10:08  |  Evan 29/10/08   23.   For Niva Dos Santos # 6. 10:12  |  David Nigel Braham 29/10/08   24.   Refugee # 14. 10:19  |  David Nigel Braham 29/10/08   25.   I gotta laugh at this bit..... 10:36  |  Johnboy 29/10/08   26.   response to Peter no 1 10:42  |  rebecca 29/10/08   27.   REFUGEE.Are Hamas "Obliterate Israel by Islam" Moslems? 11:20  |  PETER SM 29/10/08   28.   rebecca 15:22  |  lady from USA 29/10/08   29.   Muslims don`t care about the suffering of non-Muslims 15:42  |  lady from USA 29/10/08

Read & React Joe the Plumber: A vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel Responses: 415 L.A. Times defends decision not to release clip of Obama with Palestinian critic of Israel Responses: 124 Syria demands UN action against U.S. over raid Responses: 113 IDF soldiers protect Palestinian olive farmers from settlers Responses: 82 Aluf Benn: Americans must worry first about America, not Israel Responses: 56 Bradley Burston: Voting as a religious experience Responses: 8 More Headlines 00:45 Lieberman: Mubarak can 'go to hell'; Egypt responds: Lieberman is a racist 20:05 Biden, in Florida, stresses his, Obama's commitment to Israel 22:29 Iran's supreme leader: Hatred for U.S. runs deep 00:48 Netanyahu rebuffs Shas bid to control Education Ministry 00:52 U.S. may close Damascus embassy in wake of Syria strike 23:50 International summit on status of Israel-PA talks scheduled for next month 00:00 Wiesenthal Center gets green light to build museum on ancient Muslim cemetery 23:28 Kosher U.S. meatpacker fined $10m over labor law violations 17:18 Court approves right-wing march through the heart of one of Israel's largest Arab cities 20:26 Barak to officials: Take action against right-wing activists in West Bank 16:03 IDF troops kill Palestinian farmer, 68, near Jenin 10:51 Protest boat arrives in Gaza, despite Israel's vow to block it 14:22 Joe the Plumber: A vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel 10:52 4 Palestinians claim descent from Jews forced to convert Previous Editions Select Day 29 oct 28 oct 27 oct 26 oct 24 oct 23 oct 22 oct 21 oct 20 oct 19 oct 17 oct 16 oct

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