© The Associated PressTurkish aid ship, the Mavi Marmara, is seen in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, May 30, 2011. Pro-Palestinian activists marked the first anniversary of a deadly raid by Israel on a Turkish aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip by gathering on the deck of the same boat, refitted and preparing to sail for Gaza once again next month. An international coalition of activists said Egypt's removal of a 4-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip last weekend will not affect their plans for a new flotilla, which will depart from various European ports in an attempt to breach Israel's sea blockade.
A new State Department travel warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, issued Wednesday, said U.S. citizens could face arrest, prosecution and deportation by Israel if they join the flotilla.
It said the Gaza coast is "dangerous and volatile" and notes the Israeli navy has stopped previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea, resulting in deaths, injuries and arrests.
Organizers say a U.S.-flagged vessel carrying a group of Americans is among at least nine ships expected to attempt the Mediterranean voyage later this month, despite Israeli warnings.
Israel calls the flotilla a provocation and has stepped up diplomatic efforts to block it. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, warned the international body the planned flotilla is a provocation that could have "dangerous consequences."
He made the comments in letters, released Wednesday, to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council.
In May last year Israeli commandos stormed an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, killing eight Turkish activists and one U.S. national of Turkish origin.
that doesn't bode well for Alice Walker...
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