ISRAEL HAS stepped up its campaign to stop a flotilla of ships breaching its blockade of Gaza by accusing some passengers of intending to harm Israeli soldiers if they board the ships.
An Israeli government official said intelligence agents had discovered that extremists aimed to infiltrate the peace activists travelling on the 10-ship flotilla.
“On the flotilla, there’s an unofficial division of labour. There are activists, writers and politicians who say that they are not aware of anyone with bad motives. We believe them but . . . we believe there are people . . . who will mix in with the peaceful activists and will use violence directly against our soldiers,” the official said.
The organisers of the flotilla say all participants have undergone compulsory training in non-violent resistance and have pledged not to use violence. One organiser, Huwaida Arraf, said she was mystified by Israel’s claims. “We don’t know where they are getting this from. We are very open about who we are and what we are doing.”
One ship, the Juliano, is being repaired after suspected underwater sabotage. The propeller shaft was partially sawed at the Greek port of Piraeus. Another ship, the Audacity of Hope, has been banned from leaving port until Greek authorities agree it is seaworthy. "We can't say for certain that Israel was responsible for the sabotage but no one else wants to stop us sailing," said Ms Arraf.
The flotilla was due to sail this week but is expected to be delayed until next week.
The latest activity against the flotilla follows two incidents which have embarrassed the Israeli government. In one, the government press office in Jerusalem threatened journalists with the flotilla they risked having equipment confiscated and being banned from Israel.
In another, government staff circulated a video purporting to be made by a gay rights activist whose offer to join the flotilla had been rejected. The activist said this was because the organisers were associated with Hamas which was homophobic.
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Guardianservice)