Israel sets up tents for sea-borne pro-Palestinian activists hoping to breach Gaza blockade
By Karoun Demirjian, APThursday, May 27, 2010
Israel sets up tents for Gaza-bound activists
JERUSALEM — Israel has set up three huge white tents at its main southern seaport to hold hundreds of sea-borne pro-Palestinian activists hoping to breach Israel’s 3-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The activists are headed toward Gaza’s waters on board a flotilla carrying 10,000 tons of supplies.
Israel says it won’t let the eight boats reach Gaza shores, and that it will deport or imprison the activists aboard.
The military says it will divert the boats to the Israeli port at Ashdod, where the activists will be taken into the tents for identification and medical attention.
It says 40 buses will be on hand to take them to Israel’s international airport for deportation or to a nearby prison if they refuse to be deported voluntarily.
