Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

News Brief

Advertisement

Two boats carrying mostly Western protesters arrived in the Gaza Strip.

The boats, which left Cyprus on Friday, arrived in the Gaza port on Saturday afternoon.

Despite Israel’s two-year blockade of Gaza, the Israeli government decided to allow the two boats into the port to avoid a showdown in the media.

The protest of Israel’s blockade of Gaza aims to show that Gaza remains occupied as long as Israel’s military controls access to the strip.

Several dozen activists from mainly Western countries, including Lauren Booth, the sister-in-law of Quartet Middle East envoy Tony Blair, brought hearing aids and balloons for Palestinian children.

Hundreds of Palestinians met the boats, though Ynet reports that many Palestinians left the beach disappointed after realizing they were not carrying food.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement