the MV Rachel Corrie aid ship is heading towards the coast of Gaza, aiming to break the Israeli blockade.

Activists on board told the BBC's Andrew North in Jerusalem by telephone that they were about 150 miles (240km) away and aimed to arrive just outside Israel's 20 mile (30km) exclusion zone off Gaza by Saturday morning.

They said there are 20 people on board, including five Irish nationals, six Malaysians and nine crew members.

One of the activists, former Nobel peace prize winner Mairead Maguire, said their humanitarian aid shipment includes cement and construction materials - items banned by Israel.

Israel has made it clear it will not allow the ship - named after a US college student who was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer as she protested about house demolitions in Gaza - to dock in the Palestinian territory.

The Israeli government has instead offered to take the aid in by land, once it has checked there is nothing in the shipment that can be used for weapons.

After Monday's deadly assault on the six other aid ships, Israel's response is being closely watched, our correspondent says.

Mairead Maguire told him that they plan to sail all the way in to Gaza, but will show no resistance or violence if Israeli forces stop them and board the ship.

From - news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/10236884.stm

If the ISRAELIS attack this ship then they will unleash WORLD WAR 3.......

Lets hope they are not that stupid.

Let the AID through.

This is a turning point in history.......

BR wrote:
If the ISRAELIS attack this ship then they will unleash WORLD WAR 3.......

Lets hope they are not that stupid.

They are !
The ship - named after someone they murdered - has been intercepted.
Yet again, all communications from the people on board has been blocked (so they can get their story out first !)

Let the AID through.

This is a turning point in history.......

Let's hope so.

Good to see David Milliband roundly condemn the Israelis on Andrew Marr this morning.

When Jews seriously stand-up and be counted by criticising the Nazi-like regime that is their government, perhaps then will they (and the USA) take note ?