Gaza City:Israel said today it would allow two boatloads of pro-Palestinian activists protesting against its embargo on the Gaza Strip to enter the Hamas-ruled enclave.
"They wanted provocation at sea but they won t get it. We know who the passengers are and what they are bringing with them and so we have no problem letting them through," Foreign Ministry spokesman Aviv Shiron told AFP.
"There will be no contact between the navy and the boats," Shiron said. The two vessels carrying a total of 44 activists from 17 countries were expected to enter Gaza port between 1930 and 2130 IST according to Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, a spokeswoman for the so-called Free Gaza Movement organising the demonstration.
In a message sent from the boats at 1230 IST the crew earlier said their communications systems had come under attack by "electronic piracy" and that they were having difficulty reaching organisers on land.
"We are not experienced sailors. As a result, there is concern about the health and safety of the people on board (should) an emergency develop," the message said, according to a copy provided by Godfrey-Goldstein.
"We are currently experiencing rough sea conditions, and we call on the Greek government and the international community to meet their responsibilities and protect the civilians on board our two ships in international waters."
An attempt by a third boat carrying reporters from the Israeli port of Ashdod to meet the two vessels failed because of communications problems, Godfrey-Goldstein said.
