Flotilla boat bound for Gaza Strip stopped

PROTESTERS on a boat bound for the Gaza Strip were escorted back to shore yesterday as Greece announced it was banning vessels heading to Gaza from leaving its ports.

The secretive attempt by US activists to head out to sea ended in failure after authorities raced after them when their vessel tried to sail without permission from the port of Perama, near Athens.

“We shall overcome,” the activists sang as security personnel watched on.

Greek officials appealed to them to turn around, arguing that it was not safe to continue, but activists said it was not safe in port because of fears of alleged sabotage of their vessels.

Activists of an Irish ship, the MV Saoirse, said they had to abandon plans to set sail from the Turkish town of Gocek because of what they called Israeli sabotage.

Earlier this week, activists said the propeller of a Swedish ship in a Greek port was sabotaged. Israel has refused to comment.

The Greek government action delivered a major blow to a flotilla of nine Greek and foreign-flagged vessels and several hundred activists who want to break Israel’s sea blockade and deliver aid to the Palestinian territory.

Israel said the sea blockade stops weapons from reaching Iran-backed Hamas militants who control Gaza, and warned it would stop any attempt to circumvent its restrictions.

A year ago, nine activists on a Turkish boat died in an Israeli raid on a similar flotilla, with each side accusing the other of starting the violence.

Picture: The boat named 'Audacity of Hope' is moored by the Greek coast guard base in the town of Peramat, near Athens. Pic: AP