Various news agencies today have reported the success of international activists in ‘breaking’ the embargo of the Gaza Strip. Setting sail from Cyprus in two small boats dubbed ‘Break the Siege’, the activists, who sought to raise awareness of the crisis in Gaza, were allowed to proceed to Gaza's shores after being briefly held up by Israeli authorities enforcing the embargo. Amongst those onboard was former British PM Tony Blair's sister-in-law.
Some have claimed, including sources cited by the Palestinian Maan News Agency, that communications and navigation equipment onboard the vessels were jammed by Israel as they approached Gaza. These claims are plausible in that any military protocol dealing with inbound vessels would likely require such action to be taken as a precautionary measure.
More importantly, the publicity created by this event may give Palestinian leaders the opportunity to pressure for increased Arab support in lifting the embargo. Subsequently, the Prime Minister of the ousted Hamas-led government, Ismael Haniyeh, on Al-Jazeera satellite TV called upon the head of the Arab League Amru Musa and other Arab foreign ministers to come to Gaza via the Rafa crossing from Egypt; an act which would perhaps constitute a more official, albeit symbolic, breaking of the embargo.
Egypt, in compliance with the embargo, has kept the crossing closed. Thus, any change in its current position would be indicative of this media event having any real impact on the situation in Gaza. However, any substantive improvement of the situation would likely involve the increased backing of Israeli public opinion for lifting the siege, which may prove difficult if rockets continue to be periodically launched from Gaza into the towns of southern Israel.
