Israeli navy ship turns back Gaza protest boat

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-31-2008 08:43

Israel's Foreign Ministry says its navy has turned back a boat trying to carry pro-Palestinian protesters to the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli naval vessel collided on Tuesday with a boat  carrying activists and medical supplies that was trying  to break the blockade of Gaza,forcing it to divert to a  port in Lebanon.(AFP/Mahmoud Zayat)

The Ministry's spokesman said the boat ignored an Israeli radio order to turn back on Tuesday. As the boat tried to outmaneuver the navy ship, the two crashed with light damage to both vessels. The Israeli Navy later escorted the boat to territorial waters of Cyprus.

The vessel operated by the Free Gaza Movement planned to take physicians and up to four tons of medical supplies to Palestinians in Gaza. A former US Congresswoman and a Green Party presidential candidate were among the 16 passengers on board.

Editor:Du Xiaodan