European politicians sail to Gaza to aid Palestinians

Larnaca: European politicians sailed to Gaza from Cyprus on Friday, defying Israel, which patrols waters off the coastal strip.

Eleven members of parliament from Britain, Ireland, Switzerland and Italy left Cyprus on a boat arranged by a pro-Palestinian group seeking to highlight the poor living conditions of 1.5 million people living in Gaza.

"We were not allowed through the Rafah crossing so we are going by boat because it is the only way to get in," said British MP Clare Short.

"We want to witness the living conditions of these people, challenge the siege, and challenge the failure of our governments to uphold the Geneva convention," Short said.

The parliamentarians said they expected to arrive in Gaza early on Saturday.

They are taking a tonne of medical supplies and three medical scanners used for spinal injuries. International aid agencies have said that no medical supplies were reaching Gaza.

"The whole of the EU is colluding to what is taking place in Gaza to our shame," Short said.