Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., November 10, 2008 Cheshvan 12, 5769 | | Israel Time: 05:23 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate U.S. election Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 18:42 08/11/2008
Protest boat carrying European MPs arrives in Gaza Strip
By News Agencies
Tags: Blockade, EU, Israel News 

A boat carrying a group of European lawmakers has arrived in Gaza port as part of a protest against the blockade of the territory by Israel and Egypt.

It's the third such boat trip from Cyprus to Gaza since August. The boat carries a ton of medicine and some medical equipment.

Organizers say they hope such trips will generate momentum to end the blockade. Gaza has been virtually sealed off from the world since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized the territory by force in June 2007.
Advertisement
Among those arriving in Gaza on Saturday were former British Cabinet member Clare Short and a Muslim member of Britain's House of Lords, Nazir Ahmad.

The boat set sail to Gaza from Cyprus on Friday after the politicians aboard said attempts to cross into the Palestinian territory via Egypt failed.

Members of parliament from Britain, Ireland, Switzerland and Italy left the Mediterranean island on a boat arranged by a pro-Palestinian group seeking to highlight the poor living conditions of 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip.

"We were going to witness the living conditions in Gaza. We were not allowed through the Rafah crossing so we are going by boat because it is the only way to get in," said British MP Clare Short.

The parliamentarians said they expected to arrive in Gaza early on Saturday. It is the third time the U.S.-based Free Gaza Movement has sailed from Cyprus to Gaza since August, despite a blockade imposed by Israel on the Hamas-ruled territory.

Israel and the Hamas Islamist militant group agreed to a cease-fire brokered by Egypt in June. As part of that deal Israel has eased its blockade of Gaza, allowing in more humanitarian goods and medical equipment.

In August, defense officials expressed opposition to using force to stop the voyages to Gaza, reasoning that a well-publicized clash between the Israel Defense Forces and unarmed activists was exactly what the latter wanted.

The European politicians are taking a ton of medical supplies and three medical scanners used for spinal injuries, said Arafat Shoukri, 37, a doctor based in Britain.

"We are taking very basic medical supplies like paracetamol and painkillers. We were shocked when we got the list from the Health Ministry in Gaza, it means they don't have anything," Shoukri said.

International aid agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, have said virtually no medical supplies were reaching Gaza.

The ICRC had blamed that on a lack of cooperation between Palestinian authorities in the West Bank, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction holds sway, and Hamas, which seized the Gaza Strip in a violent 2007 coup.

It also urged Israel, which tightened overland border restrictions after the Hamas takeover, to facilitate timely deliveries of medical supplies and equipment.

Israel pulled its troops and settlers out of Gaza in 2005.

Short, a former minister in Tony Blair's government, said: "We want to witness the living conditions of these people, challenge the siege, and challenge the failure of our governments to uphold the Geneva convention.

"The whole of the EU is colluding in what is taking place in Gaza to our shame."

Organizers of the boat shuttle said more activists would travel to Gaza in mid-December, and a boat of European musicians would travel there in January.

Meanwhile, Gaza militants pounded southern Israeli territory on Friday with nine Qassam rockets.

Two of the homemade rockets struck an open field south of Ashkelon, others struck areas in the western Negev. There were no injuries or damages reported in any of the Qassam attacks.

Related articles:
  • Protest boat arrives in Gaza, despite Israel's vow to block it
  • Haniyeh: Arrival of blockade-busting boats spells end of Gaza siege
  • Israel foiled the Gaza blockade-busting boat 'provocation' - but who gets the credit?
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Never again
    Israel, Germany mark 70 years since the Night of the Broken Glass.
    Financial freefall
    Global financial storms threaten empire of Jewish billionaire Sheldon Adelson.
      1.   Spinal scanners-what are they talking about? 21:45  |  Aphemia 07/11/08
      2.   Way to go Clare Short! 21:46  |  BBSNews 07/11/08
      3.   The authorities in Hamastan will gain full legitimacy only once 21:56  |  Family member 07/11/08
      4.   Whered was the British Red Cross... 22:04  |  Jonathan 07/11/08
      5.   Obama and the European left soon on "collision course"..... 22:13  |  Swiss (Dino) 07/11/08
      6.   Yes, it`s their shame 22:14  |  judith 07/11/08
      7.   Let`s sail back to Cyprus and show them what failed diplomacy is! 22:30  |  Tom Lobo Meyer 07/11/08
      8.   Pals bring livestock thru tunnels-but need a few boxes of Paracet 22:32  |  Alan SA 07/11/08
      9.   Wonderful stuff 22:33  |  Edifice 07/11/08
      10.   Another Ship of Fools sailing into Gaza.... 22:36  |  Josephus 07/11/08
      11.   Clare Short an embarassment to modern government 22:36  |  Joe Sittizen 07/11/08
      12.   FREE GAZA, I PRAISE THEIR EFFORTS. 22:36  |  JH 07/11/08
      13.   EU colluding in years of Hamas terror, imprisonment of Shalit 23:24  |  McQueen 07/11/08
      14.   Free Gaza from Hamas 23:25  |  Blusztejn 07/11/08
      15.   Better Days Ahead 23:25  |  Sonny 07/11/08
      16.   Bypassing Congo, Darfur 23:28  |  Fish 07/11/08
      17.   JH, read the Hamas charter 23:30  |  Fish 07/11/08
      18.   Naive and guilty 23:47  |  Jess Ghannam 07/11/08
      19.   DINO`S FIXATION 23:55  |  Brant 07/11/08
      20.   STOP BLOWING UP ISRAELIS 23:55  |  IsralFan 07/11/08
      21.   Joe Sittizen - you are 100% right! 00:04  |  Terrorphobe 08/11/08
      22.   Let Us Pray 00:39  |  Jeff Northridge 08/11/08
      23.   "we were going to witness the living conditions in gaza" 00:40  |  scallywag 08/11/08
      24.   #1 Swiss...now you see 01:06  |  Lynn 08/11/08
      25.   they must be anti-semitic 01:19  |  mike honcho 08/11/08
      26.   Meanwhile... 01:19  |  Maureen Ann 08/11/08
      27.   Unbelievable 01:26  |  Elianah 08/11/08
      28.   A boat trip every month 01:54  |  Chris Linthwaite 08/11/08
      29.   Only thanks 02:01  |  Mr Ipp 08/11/08
      30.   useful idiots by the boatload 02:10  |  don 08/11/08
      31.   3rd sail to Gaza 02:17  |  graczek 08/11/08
      32.   Have any of these politicians been to SDEROT??? 02:23  |  TSIONI 08/11/08
      33.   Lift the humanitarian siege of Gaza 02:53  |  Ben Alofs 08/11/08
      34.   Mike from NYNY 03:00  |  Gregor 08/11/08
      35.   # 24 Lynn, with the exception of the "brainwashed" daily-kos.... 03:04  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      36.   I passed through Sderot less than two weeks ago 03:10  |  Ben Alofs 08/11/08
      37.   How reassuring 03:11  |  Miche Norman 08/11/08
      38.   Ben Alofs - not a siege, a border 03:21  |  Gregor 08/11/08
      39.   Thank you Ben Alofs... 03:31  |  BBSNews 08/11/08
      40.   Ben Alofs its very simple 03:54  |  Golani 08/11/08
      41.   Dr Shoukri a doctor based in Britain 04:06  |  Golani 08/11/08
      42.   # 19 Brant, I hope my original response..... 04:07  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      43.   Thank you BBS BS 04:18  |  Golani 08/11/08
      44.   Graczek been there done that 04:25  |  Golani 08/11/08
      45.   #38 Gregor, Gaza remains Israel`s responsibility... 04:27  |  Ben Alofs 08/11/08
      46.   It could have been different, Golani, and simple indeed. 04:54  |  Ben Alofs 08/11/08
      47.   #39 BBS News, on the impact of occupation on mental health 05:31  |  Ben Alofs 08/11/08
      48.   DINO AND "HATCH"??? 05:51  |  Brant 08/11/08
      49.   Great way to smuggle weapons. The boat isn`t checked. 05:55  |  Bling Bling 08/11/08
      50.   BEN ALOFS AND THE 50% HIPPOCRATIC OATH 05:56  |  Brant 08/11/08
      51.   Ben Alofs` "humanitarian siege" 06:05  |  SDHD 08/11/08
      52.   If Israel is responsible for Gaza 06:06  |  Gregor 08/11/08
      53.   BS News and "reality" 06:07  |  SDHD 08/11/08
      54.   Ben Alof`s and "Israel`s responsibility" 06:11  |  SDHD 08/11/08
      55.   Ben Alofs and democracy 06:13  |  SDHD 08/11/08
      56.   Ben Alofs - I agree that Gazans are mentally ill 06:18  |  Gregor 08/11/08
      57.   They are right: its shameful 06:32  |  Brad 08/11/08
      58.   I don`t believe this story, Haaretz,com! 06:35  |  Civilized readers 08/11/08
      59.   Imposible to get there? There are 100 TUNNELS!! 06:42  |  Alain 08/11/08
      60.   #5 - I thought Emanuel was a very interesting choice 08:07  |  redmike 08/11/08
      61.   graczek #31 WE ARE ELATED 08:37  |  mariapalestina 08/11/08
      62.   ?The Poor Palestinians of Gaza?. 08:53  |  Jean Van Daem 08/11/08
      63.   Pity the Arabs? 08:55  |  Jean Van Daem 08/11/08
      64.   To 11 Joe Sittizen - Only FOOLS would..... 09:09  |  Dagma 08/11/08
      65.   #47 dr ben wher did you get your psychiatric degree? 09:17  |  victor hardman 08/11/08
      66.   WHEN IS DR BEN TO TAKE UP THE CAUSE OF MUSLIMWOMEN 09:19  |  victor hardman 08/11/08
      67.   Chris Linthwaite #28 against "Israeli Jews"!!! 09:38  |  S 08/11/08
      68.   Shame on Israel ! 09:42  |  Jim 08/11/08
      69.   # 48 Brant, I`m afraid the only guy who is a bit "naive" here.... 09:46  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      70.   # 48 Brant, oh, I almost forgot...... 09:54  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      71.   #3 Family Member Israel`s broken record 10:06  |  Jim 08/11/08
      72.   politicians sail to gaza 10:20  |  abu_aharon 08/11/08
      73.   I wonder how many boats will be needed 10:21  |  Yonatan 08/11/08
      74.   #10 Josephus A ship of fools 10:35  |  Jim 08/11/08
      75.   #11 Joe Sittizen 10:48  |  Jim 08/11/08
      76.   palestina 10:54  |  lola 08/11/08
      77.   What about the trade in Human beings.. 11:01  |  David Nigel Braham 08/11/08
      78.   #13 McQueen 11:04  |  Jim 08/11/08
      79.   I wonder 11:10  |  Yonatan 08/11/08
      80.   Hamas = freeloaders 11:10  |  Zelkha 08/11/08
      81.   # 60 redmike, some "alternatives" for you..... 11:16  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      82.   #22 Jeff Northridge 11:18  |  Jim 08/11/08
      83.   these people are just" has been" 11:18  |  michel 08/11/08
      84.   Noticed they ALWAYS get there "on Saturday" 11:25  |  Simha 08/11/08
      85.   # 73 Yonatan, remember our little exchange from a few weeks ago.. 11:31  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      86.   jim in the usa 11:50  |  scallywag 08/11/08
      87.   clare short 12:03  |  sharon 08/11/08
      88.   Ben Alofs anger and hatred 12:10  |  Robin 08/11/08
      89.   Let them sail and search for Treasure Island 12:12  |  Israeli citizen 08/11/08
      90.   To graczek # 31 - Sail on to the Twilight Zone.... 12:21  |  Dagma 08/11/08
      91.   SWiss Dino # 69 12:57  |  ChanahS 08/11/08
      92.   Jim 75 - the EU countries sent them? 13:01  |  ChanahS 08/11/08
      93.   Do we know WHAT exactly the Boats carry....? 13:02  |  Dolly 08/11/08
      94.   Jim 75 + 78 - cause + effect? 13:03  |  ChanahS 08/11/08
      95.   Jim 82 - peanuts from the "boat people" 13:05  |  ChanahS 08/11/08
      96.   robin in israel 13:19  |  scallywag 08/11/08
      97.   @87 sharon has forgotten this wonderful humanist 13:40  |  victor hardman 08/11/08
      98.   tell these loony lefties to sail north to greece 13:44  |  victor hardman 08/11/08
      99.   LOLA LOL IN OZ 13:44  |  mariapalestina 08/11/08
      100.   The Titanic to Gaza. Where is Di caprio? 13:54  |  Israeli citizen 08/11/08
      101.   Simha #84 14:02  |  mariapalestina 08/11/08
      102.   #81 Robin of Israel 14:08  |  Chris Linthwaite 08/11/08
      103.   # 91 ChanahS 14:27  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      104.   #67 S 14:42  |  Chris Linthwaite 08/11/08
      105.   so called do gooders 15:07  |  Rab Burns 08/11/08
      106.   what is their point, That the EU is ineffectual and biased toward 15:43  |  r 08/11/08
      107.   #46: Ben Alofs seriously flawed logic 16:00  |  DOC HOLLIDAY 08/11/08
      108.   May the "Gaza Sealift" help as much as the "Berlin Airlift" did 16:10  |  Joe the Captain 08/11/08
      109.   Swiss DIno103 - the point is that Obama 16:19  |  ChanahS 08/11/08
      110.   What happened to the last scanner Chris 16:31  |  nurse 08/11/08
      111.   Ah...the British and Irish, who else could we expect 16:43  |  Benjamina 08/11/08
      112.   Sderot? Why? 17:15  |  Palestinian Brit 08/11/08
      113.   TO NO 33 17:38  |  DANNY 08/11/08
      114.   Palestinian Brit - sure they can 17:47  |  ChanahS 08/11/08
      115.   European MP`s to visit Gilad Shalit 17:48  |  peter 08/11/08
      116.   TO NO 36 17:51  |  DANNY. 08/11/08
      117.   to Swiss (Dino)#103 17:58  |  Ilya 08/11/08
      118.   Jim`s view from high atop Murfreesboro, TN 18:26  |  JoeSittizen 08/11/08
      119.   #110 Nurse 18:33  |  Chris Linthwaite 08/11/08
      120.   The thing is, Dino (103) 18:54  |  ChanahS 08/11/08
      121.   #103 (Dino) 19:09  |  The Teacher/Instruct 08/11/08
      122.   TO 67. 19:26  |  DANNY 08/11/08
      123.   Chris L. - Gaza government needs to take responsibility 19:31  |  Jewboy 08/11/08
      124.   # 109 Chanah S 19:39  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      125.   Chris Linthwaite #102 19:52  |  Robin 08/11/08
      126.   106 19:53  |  DANNY 08/11/08
      127.   # 117 Ilya 19:59  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      128.   # 120 Chanah, what would this world of ours be...... 20:09  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      129.   # 103 Teacher, the inconspicuous guy...... 20:15  |  Swiss (Dino) 08/11/08
      130.   #75 Jim -- which countries "sent them?" 20:17  |  SDHD 08/11/08
      131.   Linthwaite 119 - where is it written 20:20  |  ChanahS 08/11/08
      132.   Scallwag 20:29  |  Robin 08/11/08
      133.   Protest Boat Allowed To Reach Gaza 20:45  |  Fredy Ross 08/11/08
      134.   Brant from beautiful Hilton Head 22:08  |  David Israel 08/11/08
      135.   spinal scanner for spineless? 22:25  |  JfromC 08/11/08
      136.   What Really Happened 23:39  |  Free Gaza 08/11/08
      137.   Protestors Should Tell Hamas To Recognize Israel 00:00  |  HRH Abdullah 09/11/08
      138.   #40, GOLANI, always on israels terms 00:03  |  VIPER 09/11/08
      139.   #43, GOLANI ON BBS, again shows stupidity 00:06  |  VIPER 09/11/08
      140.   Chris 00:12  |  nurse 09/11/08
      141.   Do These Euro Lawmakers Also Have The Guts To Accompany ... 00:21  |  Lavi 09/11/08
      142.   #126 nice, try, but didn`t happen at all 00:48  |  Joe Sittizen 09/11/08
      143.   Will they also be freeing kidnapped Gilad Shalit? 00:50  |  Free Gilad Shalit 09/11/08
      144.   #35 Swiss....so, I guess being 01:33  |  Lynn 09/11/08
      145.   To nurse and Chris re: scanners 01:38  |  Aphemia 09/11/08
      146.   #85 Swiss....but........... 01:41  |  Lynn 09/11/08
      147.   Do These Euro Lawmakers Also Have The Guts To Accompany ... 02:02  |  Lavi 09/11/08
      148.   Ben Alofs #47 02:07  |  utagawa 09/11/08
      149.   Don`t be flippant Lavi... 03:08  |  BBSNews 09/11/08
      150.   "Free Gaza", that`s a pretty good description of reality... 03:18  |  BBSNews 09/11/08
      151.   palestina 04:03  |  lola 09/11/08
      152.   #111 benjamina 11:54  |  sharon 09/11/08
      153.   to add to post 32 and do they "witness" the Qassam launchers 19:09  |  Jew- and Bookburner 09/11/08
      154.   Protest Boat Carrying MP`s 05:10  |  Peter 10/11/08
     Read & React
    Amira Hass: Haniyeh willing to accept Palestine with 1967 borders
    Responses: 320
    Gideon Levy: Let's hope Obama won't be a 'friend of Israel'
    Responses: 176
    At Rabin memorial, Barak calls right-wing extremists 'cancerous growths'
    Responses: 118
    Iran slams Obama's tough language on nuclear arms
    Responses: 146
    Syria President: Israel is not genuine about peace
    Responses: 58


    More Headlines
    02:28 Livni: I didn't repeat mistakes made in Camp David talks
    03:39 Labor figureheads to support Meretz in oncoming elections
    19:24 Hamas: No room to implement long-term truce with Israel
    04:05 Amira Hass / Powerless in Gaza, residents rely on the tunnels
    02:12 Belgian far right leader: I am one of Israel's staunchest defenders
    20:11 Elderly Palestinian couple evicted from East Jerusalem home despite U.S. protest
    01:06 Living the Vision / 'I knew my life's goal was to try and make Israel find peace'
    23:10 Partial airport work stoppage threatens departing flights to U.S.
    02:38 Holocaust restitution panel thinks land in T.A. belonged to victims
    01:09 Peres at Rabin memorial: Oslo Accords served the supreme Zionist interest
    05:06 Jerusalem of filth: Capital ranks last in livability among Israel's largest cities
    20:52 Border policeman gets one year for killing Palestinian in Jaffa
    21:25 'Anti-Semitism must never be given an opportunity in Europe again,' says German chancellor
    04:39 Rags-to-riches immigrant from Morocco looks to make history in Ashdod mayoral race
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Dan Boutique Jerusalem
    New Dan Hotel in Jerusalem Young, Fun & Distinctively Dan Book Now Online!
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved