October 06, 2016
Davidson’s Gaza blockade bust thwarted
The Green Party is trying to learn the fate of MP Marama Davidson, who was on a women’s peace vessel arrested this morning by the Israel Defence Force.
The Zaytouna-Oliva was about 35 miles off the coast of Gaza, which is blockaded by Israel.
The 13 women on board are being taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
They include MPs from several countries, the 1976 Nobel peace laureate Mairead Maguire from Northern Ireland, Malaysian doctor Fauziah Hasan, and retired US army colonel Ann Wright.
Greens co-leader Metiria Turei says she heard from Ms Davidson early this morning, but expects her to be out of contact until the ship arrives in the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Latest reports are she has no concerns for the safety. The intercept was calm and went without incident. There were no injuries and as far the Green's know the women on board are all OK. The riskiest part of Marama’s journey is behind her.
In 2010 Israeli troops killed nine people while boarding the a Turkish ship attempting to break the blockade.
Ms Turei says the Greens are calling on Israel to lift the illegal blockade of Gaza.
Israel today also bombed a number of sites in the Gaza Strip after claiming a rocket had hit a street of Sderot across the border.
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