The Gaza aid flotilla
Are these aid missions of any real use and what can be done to end the blockade of Gaza?
A flotilla of ships has set sail for Gaza.
Carrying 10 tonnes of medical equipment and other aid, it is considered the biggest effort to alleviate the three-year siege of the Gaza Strip.
The scene is now set for a confrontation with the Israelis. Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s foreign minister, lashed out on Sunday, refusing to accept any attack on what he said is Israel’s sovereignty.
The flotilla organisers remain defiant saying they will not allow the Israeli navy on board.
But whatever the outcome, one thing remains clear: the Israeli siege of Gaza is once again in the international spotlight.
But are these missions of any real use? And what would it take to end Irael’s three-year blockade of Gaza?
Inside Story, with presenter Mike Hanna, discusses with Omar Shaban, the director of the Gaza-based Palestinian think-tank PAL-Think, Shmuel Sandler, a senior research associate at the BESA centre, and Essam Yousef, a member of the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza.
This episode of Inside Story aired from Sunday, May 30, 2010.