From the Strip, Saleh Al-Naami reports on the determined course of a Libyan aid vessel A Jewish Austrian businessman is said to be mediating between Libya and Israel over the aid ship the Libyans are sending to Gaza. The ship, rechristened "Hope" for this particular journey, is either heading slowly towards Gaza or docked off the Egyptian port of Arish at the time of writing. The Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation, which organised the trip, claims that the ship is still heading for Gaza. But Israeli military sources say that the ship's captain told the Israeli Navy that he was heading to Arish, an Egyptian port only miles away from Gaza. Galal Al-Khodari, head of the Popular Committee to Confront the Blockade, said that Hope was suffering engine trouble and therefore proceeding "slowly" towards Gaza. Contesting the Israeli claim that the ship was heading to Arish, Al-Khodari said that "supporters aboard the ship are in high morale and determined to reach Gaza without confrontation with anyone... Unfortunately, the occupation [authorities] are making threats and seeking confrontation." Al-Khodari said that the Israeli occupation authorities must be held responsible for the lives of those aboard the Hope. Calling for international protection for the relief ship, Al-Khodari said that the Hope was told to go to Gaza to deliver two messages: one is humanitarian and involves delivering aid, while the second is political and involves breaking the blockade on Gaza. The Hope, Al-Khodari stated, is a peaceful, civilian ship not seeking confrontation with anyone. Youssef Sawan, executive director of the Gaddafi Foundation, said that, "the ship is still on the move but is surrounded by eight Israeli Navy pieces which are trying to divert it from its course." He added that communication with the ship's crew is sporadic because Israel is scrambling the signals. The Gaddafi Foundation said that pressure was mounting on the Greek owner of the vessel to change course. A notice posted on the Gaddafi Foundation's website said the foundation had received a message from the owner of the ship saying that he was under much pressure. The owner promised not to "bow to pressure" although he wished to avoid confrontation. According to the Hebrew website of Yediot Aharonot, the Jewish Austrian businessman Martin Schlaff was mediating between the Libyan authorities and the Israelis. Schlaff is known for his close ties with both the Libyans and Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Schlaff is said to be trying to persuade the Libyans to unload the vessel in Arish. The Israeli mini-cabinet met under Netanyahu last night and decided to prevent the Hope from approaching Gaza shores. Radio Israel said the mini-cabinet ordered the navy to intercept the vessel before reaching Gaza. The Israeli army said it was ready to seize the Hope by force to prevent it from going to Gaza. Force 13 of the Israeli Navy has been ordered to intercept the Hope. According to Maariv, the navy was drilling interception methods to avoid a repeat of the carnage that marked the boarding of the Freedom Flotilla. Maariv said that missile-bearing warships would take part in confronting the Libyan ship. As for the rules of engagement, the newspaper said that at first the captain would be told to discontinue his trip to Gaza and unload the cargo at Ashdod instead. Israel promised to deliver the shipment should the ship head to Ashdod. Israeli sources said despite the military preparations made by the army to confront the Libyan ship, the Netanyahu government is exerting intensive diplomatic efforts to dissuade the Libyans from keeping the ship on its course to Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has called Egyptian General Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman to discuss the ship. Barak suggested that Egypt should have the ship unload in Arish, a request that the Egyptians granted. Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said Egypt wouldn't mind the Libyan ship unloading in Arish if the captain so requested.
