Activists aim to break Gaza siege for fourth time

<snip>

"A boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists was due to leave for the Gaza Strip on Monday night on a fourth mission to break an Israeli-blockade of the Islamist-ruled territory.

The Free Gaza Movement said its vessel, the 20-metre (65-foot) "Dignity," would leave from the southern Cypriot port city of Larnaca, following similar trips in August, October and November.

On board will be British academics, a British surgeon travelling to Gaza to volunteer in local hospitals, international human rights workers and journalists, it said.

A Palestinian man who has been denied the right to return to his family will also be among the 12 passengers on the ship carrying one tonne of medical supplies and high-protein baby formula, the group said.

"We have no intention of turning around, and so we're confident that we will reach Gaza. We are unarmed civilians carrying desperately needed supplies to other unarmed civilians," said delegation leader Lubna Masarwa."

more

<snip>

"A small boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists has sailed into Gaza's port, in the fourth such violation of an Israeli blockade on the coastal territory.

Three other protest boats have reached Gaza from Cyprus since Israel imposed the closure on the Hamas-ruled territory in response to rocket fire by Palestinian militants. The activists said they wanted to highlight the damaging effects of Israel's blockade.

Israel has recently halted two other boats bound for Gaza - one from Libya and one carrying Israeli Arab activists from Israel.

Among the new arrivals Tuesday were British activists who advocate a boycott of Israel's universities.

Also on board was a Gazan man who left the territory years ago.

His wife and children wept with joy as they embraced him. Relatives refused to say why he had left, or why he had been unable to come back."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1045061.html

<snip>

"International activists say they have helped 11 Gaza university students leave the blockaded territory by boat in defiance of Israel.

Ramzi Kysia of the Free Gaza movement said Saturday that the students sailed on the vessel Dignity and reached Cyprus on Friday. He says the students are enrolled at universities in Europe and Canada.

Israel and Egypt largely sealed Gaza after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized the coastal territory last year. Some university students have been allowed to cross through Israeli and Egyptian crossings. Activists say round 700 students accepted at foreign universities are still stuck in Gaza.

The activists say they shipped out five Gaza students in a previous trip."

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/13/news/ML-Palestinians-Students.php