JERUSALEM — Israeli troops commandeered a Gaza-bound ship that tried to break through Israel’s blockade of the Hamas-ruled seaside strip on Saturday, the military said. European lawmakers and other pro-Palestinian activists aboard did not resist, and the Finnish-flagged vessel was diverted to an Israeli port.
The trip by the ship, Estelle, marked the latest challenge to the air, land, and sea embargo of Gaza that Israel imposed after the Islamic militant Hamas group seized the territory in 2007. Israeli officials say they need to enforce the blockade to prevent weapons smuggling.
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Israel has every right to stop and search ships headed for Gaza. Hamas and other Islamist fascists continue to shoot rockets and mortars at Israeli schools, farms and homes. Weapons and other war materiel cannot be allowed to enter Gaza freely.
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State-sponsored piracy. But what does anybody expect from the roguue state of Israel any more.
Hamas "siezed power" in 2007 because Israel tinkered with Palestinians elections. Israel was attempting to undermine the PLO and now they are reaping the unpleasant unexpected consequences.