ISRAELI NAVY HARRASING GAZA FISHERMEN

From Mohd Faizal Hassan
EL-ARISH (EGYPT), May 18 (Bernama) -- After firing warning shots at a
Malaysian aid ship, MV Finch heading for Gaza on Monday morning, the Israeli
gunboats took similar actions against Palestinian fishing boats.

However, the fate of the fishermen is unknown.

The Israeli naval forces aggression was witnessed by members of a
humanitarian mission and crew on board MV Finch, who were rescued and escorted
out of Gaza waters by Egyptian naval boats.

Irish humanitarian activist Jenny Graham, who was on board the aid ship,
said the Israeli aggression against MV Finch and Palestinian fishermen was
unacceptable

"While our plight is highlighted by the media, the fishermen had to endure
the harassment everyday away from the glare of the media. They are merely eking
out a living," she added.

Israel is blocking food deliveries to the Gaza Strip and restricts the Gaza
fishermen to a short distance from shore.

MV Finch is still anchored outside El-Arish Port, Egypt since it was
escorted out of Gaza waters on Monday.