In the Occupied Territories, two boats of international peace activists have started their return journey from the Gaza Strip. The boats defied Israel’s blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. They are returning with seven Palestinians on board, including a ten-year-old boy who lost a leg in an Israeli army attack in 2005. The activists say the seven Palestinians’ departure marks the first time a Palestinian has ever been allowed to freely exit the Occupied Territories. Israel had initially threatened to stop the boats, but relented in an apparent effort to avoid international scrutiny. Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, said she fears Israel could interfere with the ships on their journey back to Cyprus.

Huwaida Arraf: “We plan to take them with us. We do not know what we will expect at sea. We have had indications that Israel might stop us. But we know full well that the Palestinians that are coming with us have the right papers, have the right visas, and they should be allowed to travel. There is no reason why Israel is holding them hostage, holding them prisoners in Gaza, and denying
them medical attention, denying them education, denying them family reunification.”

Passengers also include Lauren Booth, sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Jeff Halper, the lone Israeli Jew on board, was arrested after returning to Israel. Halper heads the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. He was charged with violating an Israeli law barring Israelis from visiting Gaza.