Activists to sail from Lebanon in new bid to break Gaza blockade

 
Source: AP, 23-12-2008
Organizers say a cargo ship carrying Lebanese activists and supplies will set sail for the besieged Gaza Strip early next year to defy an "Israeli" blockade.
The European-flagged ship carrying supplies including power generators and food will sail from southern Lebanon on January 3rd to the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus before heading to Gaza.
Hani Suleiman, a lawyer and university professor, said the indirect route is designed to deprive "Israel" of any excuse not to allow the ship into Gaza.
Authorities at Larnaca port are expected to inspect the cargo and passengers before it proceeds to Gaza.
Passengers include activists from civil society groups and journalists.
Five ships carrying activists and goods have run the blockade since the summer, but it will be the first time a ship carrying people and goods from Lebanon, a neighboring country officially at war with "Israel", will attempt the trip.
Suleiman expressed hope the ship will succeed in making it to Gaza.
"The aim is to break the blockade and show solidarity and make the Palestinians feel they are not alone," he told The Associated Press.
"What are they (the ‘Israelis') going to do? Sink it? This is a peace ship, a commercial, civilian one."
The last boat to make the trip on December 20th carried a Qatari delegation, Lebanese activists and journalists from "Israel" and Lebanon.
Qatar, an Arab Gulf state, has warm relations with both "Israel" and Hamas.
"Israel" and Egypt closed Gaza's borders after Hamas seized control of a security situation that was spiraling out of control in the territory in June 2007. Since November, "Israel" has tightened the blockade to pressure Gaza militants to halt their rocket fire on "Israeli" border settlements.