The Rachel Corrie Seized by Israel.

The Irish owned aid ship the Rachel Corrie has been intercepted by the Israeli Navy and diverted to the Israeli port of Ashdod rather then its intended destination of the port of Gaza. Exactly what took place is still a bit of a mystery as the Israeli Navy cut all communication with the ship before it was boarded ensuring that the Israeli version of events is the only version of events.

However it seems that the Israelis moved to board the ship in international waters about 30km of the coast. The dozen or so people aboard the Rachel Corrie then assembled in one area and mounted what's called passive resistance or a sit down protest. The Israeli commandos had clearly been put on a much tighter leash since Monday and boarded without aggression or helicopters. This meant that the ship quickly and peacefully came under the control of the Israelis who sailed it to Ashdod.

The activists on board are now being held in Israel without contact to the outside world. They are expected to be deported almost instantly. However it is not known what will happen to their possessions, the ship or it's cargo. The Israelis have promised to deliver the parts of the cargo that Israel deems to be humanitarian aid to Gaza. It will be interesting to see what percentage of that cargo actually makes it to Gaza.

There have been demonstrations in Paris, Dublin and London today over the blockade. The London demonstration was attended by around 3000 people which is a good turnout for four days notice. The march began in Downing Street and arrived at the Israeli Embassy at around 16:00. By 17:00 the protest had largely dispersed without incident or arrest. I guess a long march on a really hot day does tend to sap the fight out of people a bit.