[b]Gaza aid flotilla: Irish crew accuse Israel of sabotage[/b] escribió:Irish activists planning to sail in a flotilla to Gaza have accused Israel of sabotaging their ship.
It is the second vessel due to participate that has had its propeller damaged while moored in a Mediterranean port this week.
The Israeli military is under orders to prevent an international convoy of ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists and aid from reaching Gaza.
Organisers want to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the territory.
More than 300 protesters on 10 ships, from North America and Europe, are due to join the latest flotilla. American writer, Alice Walker, is among those due to set sail.
Last year, nine activists on a Turkish vessel, the Mavi Marmara, were killed in an Israeli raid on an aid flotilla. Each side blamed the other for the violence.
Following international outcry, Israel considerably eased its blockade of Gaza, allowing in more food and humanitarian goods.
The Irish Ship to Gaza (ISG) campaign noticed problems with the propeller of their vessel, the Saoirse, while berthed in the Turkish port of Gocek. The group claims it was attacked “by saboteurs who cut, gouged or filed a piece off the shaft.”
“Israel has questions to answer and must be viewed as the chief suspect,” the ISG said.
On Tuesday, similar allegations of sabotage were made by activists on the Swedish-owned Juliano, docked in Piraeus in Greece. Israel has not commented on the allegations.
