Yacht Carrying Cynthia McKinney Reportedly Attacked

(Tyre, Lebanon) Former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and a group of activists were aboard a relief yacht reportedly intercepted by the Israeli Navy on a trip from Cyprus to Gaza. The mission was intended to make a statement and deliver medical supplies.

“Our boat was rammed three times, twice in the front and one on the side,” McKinney told CNN Tuesday morning. “Our mission was a peaceful mission. Our mission was thwarted by the aggressiveness of the Israeli military.”

She called on President-elect Obama to address the Gaza crisis, saying the weapons being used by Israel were supplied by the United States.

She denied that the incident was an accident, caused when the captain of the Dignity tried to maneuver past the Israeli blockade. “What the Israelis are saying is outright disinformation,” she said. “What happened to us last night was a direct threat to our mission, but not our cause.”

In a press release, the Free Gaza movement stated, “Contrary to international maritime law, the Israelis are actively preventing the Dignity from approaching Gaza or finding safe haven in either Egypt or Lebanon. Instead, the Israeli navy is demanding that the Dignity return to Cyprus -- despite the fact that the ship does not carry enough fuel to do so.” [...]

The activists, organized by the Free Gaza Group, said their 66-foot yacht called “SS Dignity” would defy an Israeli blockade of Gaza and ferry 16 activists and three tons of Cypriot-donated supplies.

According to the reporting, it appears that McKinney believes she has an inside track on making demands of Barack Obama. It's not known how the President-elect will handle her.