3 leftist activists detained off Gaza shore

IDF adopts tougher attitude: Three foreign leftist activists to be deported after accompanying Gaza fishermen into restricted waters; British activist begins airport hunger strike in protest

Ali Waked
Published: 11.18.08, 22:27 / Israel News

Tougher Israeli attitude? A British leftist activist has embarked on a hunger strike at Ben Gurion International Airport to protest Israel's decision to deport him. The man was arrested Tuesday morning along with two other activists and 15 Palestinian fishermen just off the Gaza shore.

Sea-faring Protestors

European MPs reach blockaded Gaza by sea / AFP

65-foot boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists, European politicians docks in Strip in protest of Israeli sanctions imposed on Hamas. British MP: Even prisoners have rights, rights to have food and medicine and to live in dignity. People here in Gaza don't have those rights

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The activists were visiting Gaza, and decided to join the fishermen on their boat in order to prevent the IDF from stopping the vessel. Nonetheless, the Navy proceeded to block the boat and detained all those onboard.

The Palestinian fishermen were taken into custody in the Ashdod harbor, and the three international activists were taken to the airport to be deported from the country.

The activists – identified as British, American, and Italian nationals - belong to a group called Human Rights Observers. According to the International Solidarity Movement behind the group, Israeli authorities are preventing the activists from contacting anyone abroad.

Meanwhile, the IDF said that "Navy ships told the activists to return to the areas permitted for sailing, but they refused and even disrupted Navy security operations in the area.

"As a result Navy soldiers arrested the Palestinians and brought them in for questioning. The activists, known for supporting Palestinian organizations including terror groups, were also arrested and are to be deported."

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