International flotilla will head to Gaza

NEW YORK, June 3 (UPI) -- Writer Alice Walker will be among the passengers on an American ship joining a flotilla to Gaza to challenge Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory.

Organizers said at least 1,000 people on 10 boats would take part in the international flotilla in late June to an as yet unnamed port, The New York Times reported.

Last year nine people in a flotilla of six boats were killed when Israeli commandos boarded a Turkish boat in international waters off the coast of Gaza.

The American boat will be called "The Audacity of Hope," which is the title of a book by President Barack Obama. One boat will carry Canadians, another Swiss, another Spaniards and another Irish.

"We're sending a message to our own government that we think it could play a much more positive role in not only ending the siege of Gaza, but also ending the whole occupation" of Palestinian land, said Leslie Cagan, a political organizer who is coordinator of the American boat. "The phrase does capture what we believe, which is that it is possible to make change in a positive way, and that's a very hopeful stance."

Israel said it would prohibit any attempt to breach its sea blockade of Gaza, Ynetnews.com reported.