By Lia Tarachansky, The Real News Network – 27 June 2011
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=6961
On Sunday, a convoy of activist ships known as the Freedom Flotilla II – Stay Human set sail for the shores of Gaza. The convoy is the tenth such attempt by the Gaza Freedom Movement to break the naval blockade on the strip. Ray McGovern, a retired CIA officer on board the US boat and Gerry MacLochlainn, an Irish politician, on board the Irish boat spoke to The Real News about the pressure the US and Israeli government put on Mediterranean countries to stop the Flotilla from sailing.
Also on Sunday, the Israeli Government Press Office issued a release, warning foreign journalists that if they are on board the ships, they are liable to be banned from Israel for ten years. Joseph Dana, a journalist with The Nation and +972 Magazine spoke on why the Israeli government finds this activist effort so threatening. The Real News’ Lia Tarachansky also spoke with Lieutenant Colonel Avital Liebovitz about the Israeli navy’s intended response to the convoy.