The Estelle being escorted by Israeli naval police to the port of Ashdod, Israel. Ariel Schalit/The Associated Press
The Toronto Star reports this hour, “The family of former MP Jim Manly is concerned for his health and safety after the Israeli navy boarded a ship he was on. The ship was apparently headed to the Gaza Strip in an attempt to break Israel’s maritime blockade…” Our solidarity is with Jim Manly and the crew of the Estelle. And our thoughts are with Council of Canadians activist Paul Manly who said today, “While he is in good health for his age (79), he is not as resilient as he was in his youth and has medication he needs to take daily. I hope that the Israeli Defence Forces respect his human rights and legal rights and treat him with the respect and dignity he deserves.” The Jerusalem Post says, “The activists will be handed over to the Israel Police and the Interior Ministry, which is expected to begin deportation proceedings against foreign nationals.” Not that it’s a surprise, but the National Post also reports this hour, “The Harper government has been critical of similar missions in the past, calling them unhelpful.”
The Toronto Star report is at http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1274784–israeli-naval-vessels-take-control-of-pro-palestinian-boat-seeking-passage-to-gaza.
