Israeli naval vessels seized control of the French flagged Dignite /Al Karama – the final remnant of the planned “Free Gaza” flotilla. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) naval commandos boarded the ship in international waters with no resistance from the 16- passenger crew and transferred them to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

The Dignite /Al Karama sailed from Corfu on Monday with the stated destination of Alexandria, Egypt – but then changed direction towards the blockaded Gaza Strip. The yacht was the only part of the 10-vessel flotilla to successfully set sail from Greek waters as the other boats were blocked in Greek ports by authorities.

The ‘Free Gaza’ flotilla movement has drawn global attention since last year when IDF naval commandos raided a Turkish ship carrying aid and killed nine activists on board. Yesterday the Knesset Ethics Committee sanctioned MK Hanin Zuabi (Balad Party) for her participation in the Turkish flotilla.

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Israel intercepts Gaza flotilla’s last boat,  The Guardian, 19 July 2011.

Israeli navy intercepts protest vessel headed for Gaza,  LA Times, 19 July 2011.

IDF learnt from last year’s mistakes when dealing with latest Gaza flotilla,  The Haaretz, 19 July 2011.

Israeli parliament suspends Israeli-Arab over Gaza flotilla, The Telegraph, 18 July 2011.

MK Zuabi red- carded for role in 2010 Gaza flotilla,  The Haaretz, 19 July 2011.