Israel prevents solidarity ship from reaching Gaza

Israeli naval troops commandeered the Swedish ship, Estelle, boarding pro-Palestinian activists, off Gaza shores on Saturday, local radio stations reported. The Israeli force burst into the ship some 30 nautical miles off Gaza, the radio stations said. The troops were expected to tow the ship, with 19 pro-Palestinian activists of various nationalities on board, toward the Israeli port of Ashdod. Palestinian associations had urged the international community and the Finnish Government, whose flag is hoisted atop the vessel, to intervene and secure its docking at a Gaza harbor. The activists, including a former Canadian legislator, organized the journey as a demonstration of solidarity with the besieged Gazans and to remind the world of their ongoing plight.