Israel warns against Gaza flotilla

A senior Israeli official has warned activists planning to break a naval blockade of Gaza later this month that their flotilla of cargo ships and passenger boats will be stopped. Naor Gilon, a deputy director general at the foreign ministry, said on Monday that the action would be a "provocation and breach of Israeli law". An international coalition of pro-Palestinian activists aim to send eight vessels carrying 5,000 tonnes of reconstruction materials, school supplies and medical equipment to Gaza. Representatives from six organisations, including the European Campaign to End the Siege in Gaza (EGESG), said on Monday that they were determined to enter the area regardless of pressure from Israel. "Israel should not be under any illusion whatsoever that their threats or intimidation will stop us or even that their violence against us will stop us," Huwaida Arraf, from the Free Gaza Movement, said. Kahel Mazen, from EGESG, added: "If they [the Israelis] choose to resort to destruction and death, our mission is to try to open a window of hope for the people of Gaza." Sumber:  17 Mei, Aljazeera Web News