46 Activists Hope To Sail From Cyprus To Gaza In Bid To Break Israeli Blockade

LARNACA -About 46 activists from 16 countries are hoping to sail from Cyprus to Gaza today to try to break an Israeli blockade on the territory. The Free Gaza Movement hopes the voyage will draw attention to the plight of 1.4 million Palestinians suffering shortages of everything from fuel to food since an Israeli crackdown began last year. Plans had been repeatedly delayed by rough seas in the eastern Mediterranean. The Free Gaza movement says it wants to establish a permanent sea link between Cyprus and Gaza. Activists on the boat include Israeli citizens, Hedy Epstein, an 84-year old Holocaust survivor, and Lauren Booth, half-sister of Cherie Blair, wife of the former British prime minister.