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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Tony Blair's sister-in-law trapped in Gaza |
| 2008-09-04 |
| Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's sister-in-law said Wednesday she is trapped in the Gaza Strip as Israel refuses to let her leave the Palestinian territory she entered aboard a protest boat. Israeli authorities have rejected Lauren Booth's request to leave Gaza, arguing she did not enter legally when she and another 43 pro-Palestinian activists traveled by boat to the impoverished coastal strip in defiance of an Israeli blockade. Booth asked over the weekend for authorization to leave Gaza through the Erez crossing with Israel. She was also prevented from crossing into Egypt through the Rafah crossing. "Her request presented at the end of last week was rejected because anyone who does not enter officially cannot leave officially," said Gil Kari, spokesman for the Israeli military office in charge of liaison with Gaza. Israel controls air and sea access to Gaza, where it imposed a crippling blockade after the Islamist Hamas movement seized power in the territory in June 2007. "I'd actually like to say 'thank you very much' to the Israeli authorities at Erez for giving me this fantastic chance to feel just exactly what it is like to be inside what is effectively the world's largest internment camp, where individuals who should have the right to travel under international law are withheld in a 40 kilometer by 10 kilometer camp," Booth told the BBC. She said three others were also prevented from leaving Gaza. Most of the campaigners who had sailed to Gaza aboard two boats on August 23 returned to Cyprus five days later, although nine, including Booth remained in the Palestinian territory. Jeff Halper, the only Israeli in the group, was held overnight by police upon his return to Israel through the Erez on August 26. Booth's brother-in-law Tony Blair is currently on a week-long visit to Israel in his capacity as representative of the Middle East peace Quartet, which comprises the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #15 So...is Tony happy about this? Just wonderin'. ;) |
| Posted by: Swamp Blondie in the Cornfields 2008-09-04 23:31 |
| #14 Any EP wads going to Georgia? No? |
| Posted by: Minister of funny walks 2008-09-04 20:50 |
| #13 Um, why will the passengers on the second boat be allowed to leave? I don't think being a member of the European Parliament gives you diplomatic immunity. Of course, I suppose the European Parliament could pass a law that says that all members are exempt from the laws of other countries. |
| Posted by: Rambler in California 2008-09-04 13:10 |
| #12 Hang in there, Lauren, baby. They're coming for ya... Gaza – Ma’an – International human rights advocates plan to stage another siege-breaking voyage to the Gaza Strip on 22 September after two boats challenged an Israeli military blockade in August. Palestinian lawmaker Jamal Al-Khudari, head of the Popular Campaign Against the Aiege, announced on Thursday that the activists will set sail from Cyprus, and that the new boat will have on board members of the European Parliament and doctors. The Boat will also pick up nine international activists who are stranded in Gaza following the first voyage of the Free Gaza Movement. Among the stranded foreigners is British journalist Lauren Booth, the sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Enjoy your extra 3 weeks in gaza. Soak up the lifestyle... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-09-04 12:51 |
| #11 Gee, I was about to care but noticed that I had lint in my pocket. |
| Posted by: hammerhead 2008-09-04 11:15 |
| #10 Why couldn't she have taken Cherie with her? |
| Posted by: ed 2008-09-04 10:47 |
| #9 Do you know who I am! Yes. Yes, we do. Enjoy your stay. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-09-04 10:37 |
| #8 Quagmire! |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2008-09-04 09:09 |
| #7 Noticed that this bitch din't go to Sudan? |
| Posted by: JFM 2008-09-04 08:41 |
| #6 Now why would she want to leave Heaven on Earth? |
| Posted by: gorb 2008-09-04 07:30 |
| #5 Poetic justice for the tourist-activist crowd. |
| Posted by: Kirk 2008-09-04 02:26 |
| #4 LMFAO!!! Instant classic. |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2008-09-04 01:21 |
| #3 You should try a bite of this irony. It's cooked properly and quite tasty. Dontcha think? |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2008-09-04 00:30 |
| #2 Trapped like Mars flies in a Klein Bottle. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2008-09-04 00:19 |
| #1 heh heh heh |
| Posted by: 3dc 2008-09-04 00:07 |