ISTANBUL (AP) — A three-ship flotilla planning to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid from Turkey was prevented from sailing by Guinea-Bissau authorities, which took down their country’s flags from two ships, organizers said.
Just before the flotilla was set to sail from Turkey to Gaza on Friday with 5,000 tons of aid, a surprise inspection by the Guinea-Bissau International Ships Registry resulted in the removal of the flags from two of the Freedom Flotilla ships.
A press release by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition described the cancellation of the vessels’ registry as a “blatantly political move,” adding: “Without a flag, we cannot sail.”
The organizers blamed Israel for applying pressure to prevent the flotilla. “It is obvious, and I think it is publicly known, that there has been close contact between Israel and the president of Guinea-Bissau,” organizer and steering committee member Torstein Dahle told The Associated Press, without elaborating.
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at
Katie Holmes exudes boho chic as she layers up in a loose
Arango, Gómez each score 2 goals, RSL rallies for 5
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
Marcus Rashford 'spotted cosying up to Colombian
2 dead and 5 missing after a boat collision on the Danube River in Hungary
China's Tang Qianting betters Asian record for women's 100m breaststroke
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
Fans joke Eddie Howe's Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall 'needs to LEARN' from Kevin Nolan
Burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police from the top of 60ft high roof during nine
Barcelona extend Cubarsí contract to 2027