Israel stops Iranian aid ship heading to Gaza

[January 14, 2009]  TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- The Israeli navy has intercepted an Iranian ship loaded with medicine, food and clothing destined for Gaza and forced the vessel to head toward an Egyptian port, Iran's state television reported Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in a gesture of support with the Palestinians in Gaza, Iran's top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a religious opinion, or fatwa, declaring the purchase of any Israeli goods or trade with Israeli companies to be forbidden.

The head of the humanitarian aid group sponsoring the ship, Ahmad Navabi, said in comments aired on television Wednesday that the Israeli navy approached the cargo ship, Shahed, just 20 miles (30 kilometers) off the coast of Gaza at dawn Wednesday, and ordered it to turn back.

"An Israeli warship approached our cargo ship and warned us not to approach Gaza. We could see the lights at Gaza coast. We were forced to change route toward an Egyptian port," Navabi said.

Israeli military officials said the ship was prevented from reaching Gaza as part of a general naval blockade meant to prevent weapons smuggling, and not due to the boat's Iranian origins.

The Israeli officials said an Israeli naval ship approached the vessel, conveyed the message of the blockade, and told the crew they would not be allowed in. There was no clash, and communications were done by radio, the Israeli officials said.

Iranian state television broadcast what they said was a radio exchange between the Israeli navy and the Iranian ship in which the Israelis said: "Gaza is closed. Leave the area immediately."

The ship was carrying 2,000 tons of medicine, food and clothing to Palestinians living in Gaza.

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said later Wednesday that Iran will do what it can to get the ship to Gaza, state television reported.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also said Iran has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to push for an end to the Israeli assault on Gaza, state television reported.

"In short term, the most important measures are to end (Israeli) assault on Gaza, end the Gaza blockade and recognize the rights of the Gaza people," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.

Navabi said his group may try to send the humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Rafah land crossing at the Egyptian border. The ship left the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas two weeks ago.

Iran has already sent a cargo plane filled with 50 tons of aid to Egypt to be sent on to Gaza.

Iran has condemned Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip and said Iran would stand by the Palestinians.

Israel's bombardment of Gaza, which has killed more than 940 Palestinians since Dec. 27, has sparked outrage in Iran and throughout the Muslim world. Israel has said it launched its campaign to stop rocket fire aimed at civilians in southern Israeli towns by Hamas. Iran is Hamas' main backer, providing it political and financial support, though Tehran denies sending the organization weapons.

Iranian authorities issued an order last week banning international companies from working in Iran if they are found to have any shares owned by Israelis. And on Sunday, the Iranian government said it plans to impose sanctions on foreign companies in Iran who also deal with Israel. It is not clear how or when the ban might be carried out, and no details were given regarding the sanctions.

In the fatwa posted on his Web site, Khamenei said Muslims throughout the world must avoid the purchase, import, and promotion of any products Israelis may profit from.

"All Muslims are required to avoid purchase and use of goods that bring profit to Zionists who are at war with Islam and Muslims," Khamenei said.

A fatwa is a religious opinion that Muslims obey if they revere the person issuing it, which in the case of Khamenei would be restricted largely to Shiites in Iran and other parts of the world.

Iran doesn't recognize Israel and has no trade ties with the Jewish state.

[Associated Press; By ALI AKBAR DAREINI]

Associated Press writer Joseph Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

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