Activists plan to smuggle two Fulbright scholars out of Gaza by boat, and Israel does not plan to stop them.
Two boats carrying mostly Western protesters arrived in the Gaza Strip on Saturday from Cyprus, despite Israel’s two-year blockade of Gaza. The boat trip was organized to protest Israel’s blockade of the strip, and the activists brought with them hearing aids and balloons for Palestinian children.
The boats plan to leave with two Palestinian Fulbright scholars denied U.S. visas to pursue their studies. Israel had barred them from leaving Gaza but had permitted five other Palestinian Fulbright scholars to leave the strip.
Israel reportedly said it will not stop the boats with the two students aboard because such a move would generate negative media attention.
Among the activists on the boats is Lauren Booth, the sister-in-law of former British prime minister Tony Blair.
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