Saturday June 19, 2010 12:39 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Israeli occupation government sent an official letter to the United Nations stating that it will, and “has the right” to intercept the Lebanese solidarity ship, Mariam, carrying 50 women peace activists and humanitarian supplies to Gaza.

Israeli TV, Channel 2, reported that Israel’s UN Envoy, Gabriella Shalev, handed the letter to UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, informing him that Israel will use the needed means to intercept any ship that sails to Gaza.

Shalev claimed that the organizers of the trip have ties with the Hezbollah party in Lebanon, and added that Israel cannot know for sure that they “are not smuggling terrorists and weapons to Gaza”, according to Shaliv.

It is worth mentioning that the Hezbollah party officially stated that it has no connection whatsoever with the ship.

The party said it kept away from the ship in order to avoid granting Israel any motives to attack it.

Although it remains unknown when the ships will be sailing, Israeli daily Haaretz reported that Israel believes they will be sailing Sunday.

Israel intends to use force similar to the violence used against the Marmara Turkish ship on May 31.

The army received instructions to stop the ships by all means and to use force if needed.

It is worth mentioning that that the Lebanese ship will only carry women, Muslim and Christian, in addition to medical and humanitarian supplies.

Muslim and Christian leaders held prayers on Friday afternoon in southern Lebanon. The prayers were held in Maghdousha town near Sidon at a cave believed to be the location where Mary waited for her son, Jesus Christ, as he toured the area with his disciples.

Reema Farah, spokesperson of the Lebanese ship, said that the participants are determined to sail to Gaza, and that their only weapon is Virgin Mary and humanity.
Farah added that the ship is carrying medicine and will sail to Gaza regardless of the Israeli threats.

She warned Israel not to repeat “the same sin its soldiers carried against the Marmara ship”, and added that women from Syria, Egypt, Kuwait, several European countries, and the United States will be sailing to Gaza on board the Mariam ship.

Israel Decides To Use Force Against Lebanese Solidarity Ships

Saturday June 19, 2010 00:38 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The Israeli government instructed the army and the navy to intercept, and if necessary, to use force against the two Lebanese ships that would be heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian supplies.

Israeli daily, Haaretz, said that the security devices in Israel still do not know when the ships will be sailing from Lebanon to Gaza, but will likely sail this Sunday.

The ships, “Naji al-Ali” and “Mariam” are filled with humanitarian supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Israeli government said that should the army “face resistance” after boarding the ships, the soldiers will use the same methods and techniques used in attacking the Marmara Turkish ship, nearly three weeks ago, leading to the death of nine peace activists and dozens of injuries.

An Israeli official said that Israel took into consideration criticisms and reactions of the international community against the attack on the Marmara ship, but has no other solution to the issue rather than attacking them should they decide to continue sailing to Gaza.