Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

News Brief

Advertisement

Pro-Palestinian activists have delayed plans to sail to the Gaza Strip in a bid to break Israel’s blockade on the territory.

The Free Gaza Movement announced last week that 40 of its members would set off in a boat from Cyprus toward Gaza, whose waters have been closely patroled by the Israeli navy since a Palestinian terror campaign began in 2000.

The Free Gaza Movement’s mission was originally scheduled to begin Monday but was postponed, likely to the weekend. Organizers said they planned to bypass Israeli naval vessels non-violently.

Pro-Palestinian activists accuse Israel of using its “siege” of Gaza’s coast and land crossings to try to starve support for Islamist Hamas, which took over the territory in an armed coup last year.

Jerusalem officials said they were aware of the planned mission but gave no immediate word on how it might be handled.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement