(MENAFN- QNA) The Israeli Navy has intercepted a Gaza-bound vessel sailed by pro-Palestinian activists and diverted it to an Israeli port, the Israeli military said on Monday.
The military said that after exhausting all diplomatic efforts the government ordered it to block the Swedish vessel. Israeli naval forces visited the Marianne ship and searched it in international waters without needing to use any force, the military said. The ship was carrying about 20 activists, including Israeli Arab lawmaker Basel Ghattas and former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki.
The Freedom Flotilla group posted a photo on Twitter apparently showing a group of its activists onboard a ship. It said in the post that Israeli forces intercepted the Marianne and it was currently en route to Ashdod port.
The activists have said previously they were trying to draw attention to the blockade and would not resist if stopped by the navy.
The flotilla is the latest in a number of protest voyages against Israel's maritime blockade.
A 2010 raid against a Gaza-bound flotilla encountered violent resistance and nine Turkish pro-Palestinian activists were killed. It sparked international criticism of Israel and delivered a serious blow to its previously close ties with Turkey.
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