One of the flotilla's ships
Photo: AFP
Gaza sail activists: Israel has no reason to stop us
Aid flotilla moving at snail's pace as determined activists plan on arriving at Gaza's shores Sunday. Navy gearing to halt ships
The Israel Navy is gearing to meet the small group of ships sailing towards Gaza, but the flotilla is sailing at a snail's pace.
After overcoming numerous technical difficulties, the activists leading the humanitarian aid sail are set to arrive in Gaza on Sunday.
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Peace activist Gerda Berlin told Ynet Saturday that the ships "intend to make their way to Gaza overnight. I think we'll arrive at the Gaza coast sometime tomorrow noon or in the afternoon.
"It's hard to know exactly when, since we are moving in a very slow pace."
Berlin added that the hundreds of people participating in the eight-vessel sail were "being very good sports about all the delays. We're waiting for the last ship to arrive and they're in a good mood – considering this isn’t exactly a pleasure cruise."
'Not a fair fight"
The activist added she hoped the Israeli Navy won't confront the sail. "We hope it won't come to that," she said. "You have to think hard about trying to stop ships carrying journalists, parliamentarians and activists.
"We have an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor on one of our ships. A lot of the activists are over the age of 60. This wouldn’t be a fair fight."
Should the navy stop the small fleet from reaching the Strip, Berlin said their provisions can last several weeks, and they may choose to stay near Gaza as an act of solidarity. Still, she said, "(Israel) has no reason to stop us."
Military sources estimated that the ships will arrive at Gaza's shores late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, and the Navy intends on sending ships to intercept the flotilla overnight.
"Once the ships enter Israel's waters, the Navy's ships would set sail to meet them," a military source said.
