(JTA) — An aid ship sponsored by the Algerian government departed for Gaza.
The ship, which left an Algerian port Thursday, had religious and political leaders on board. It also carried food, medicine, and educational materials, according to the Palestinian news service Palestine Today. The ship was organized by Algerian religious leaders and funded by business men to “express solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Palestine Today reported.
In July, a Libyan ship attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza but was diverted to an Egyptian port and its cargo delivered by land.
On May 31, Israel halted a six-ship flotilla heading for Gaza. A confrontation broke out on one of the ships, the Turkish-flagged MAvi Marmara, resulting in the deaths of nine passengers and the injury of several Israeli soldiers.
Israel subsequently eased somewhat its embargo of Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas.
George Galloway, a pro-Palestinian British lawmaker writing in the Morning Star newspaper, announced that another flotilla designed to break the blockade will leave Sept. 18. Its ships will sail from London, Casablanca, Morocco and Doha.
