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Flotilla Challenges Israeli Blockade of Gaza

   Robert Berger | Jerusalem 28 May 2010
   Palestinian fishermen prepare their boat ahead of the expected arrival
   of  a flotilla of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists trying to sail
   into the Gaza Strip, in Gaza city, 28 May 2010

Photo: AP

   Palestinian fishermen prepare their boat ahead of the expected arrival
   of  a flotilla of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists trying to sail
   into the Gaza Strip, in Gaza city, 28 May 2010

   A  confrontation is looming between the Israeli navy and international
   activists on the high seas off the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip.

   A  flotilla  of  eight  ships  carrying  more than 700 pro-Palestinian
   activists  is  heading  towards  the  Gaza  Strip,  which  is  under a
   crippling  Israeli  blockade.  The  fleet  is  carrying 10,000 tons of
   supplies, including medicine and cement.
   Greta Berlin of the Free Gaza Movement says Israel has been strangling
   the Palestinians since the end of the Gaza War 16 months ago.
   "We  want  to  break  Israel's  blockade  of Gaza and we are taking in
   building supplies because Israel is not allowing the people of Gaza to
   rebuild," said Berlin.
   Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since the Islamic militant group
   Hamas  seized  control of the territory three years ago. Hamas refuses
   to renounce violence or recognize Israel, and it is holding a captured
   Israeli  soldier.  The  blockade  is  aimed at weakening and isolating
   Hamas, but Berlin says it is collective punishment.
   "We  are  there to challenge, we are there to challenge Israel and say
   you cannot do this to 1.5 million civilians," she added.
   Israel  says  it  is  allowing  plenty of basic food and supplies into
   Gaza, and it describes the flotilla as a provocation. Foreign Ministry
   spokesman  Yigal  Palmor  says  the  ships  will be intercepted by the
   Israeli navy.
   "These  ships  are  not  about  carrying in humanitarian aid, they are
   about  clashing at all costs with Israel. When you have rioters coming
   your way, you have to stop them," said Palmor.
   Israel  has  set  up  a  makeshift  detention  center on shore and the