Israel warns Finland after attempt to break Gaza blockade

on 13/10/2012 16:02:32

Finland says Israel has warned the country it will take action against a boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists trying to break a naval blockade of Gaza.

The Foreign Ministry says Jerusalem sent a message earlier this week, but did not say what action would be taken against the Finnish-flagged Estelle.

Ministry spokesman Risto Piipponen said that Finland urged Israel for restraint, because it was a non-military vessel with civilians on board. It left Naples in Italy on October 7 with about 20 people on board.

Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza after the militant Islamic Hamas seized control of it in 2007 from secular rival Fatah.

Under heavy international pressure, Israel eased the closure in 2010 after a naval raid killed nine Turkish activists on board a Gaza-bound flotilla.