The latest Gaza "aid" ship "diverts" to Egypt

Say what you will, but force seems to stop terrorists and their supporters.

The Libyan aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip has apparently changed course for Egypt following a warning from the Israeli navy.

The vessel, Al-Amal, now appears bound for the Egyptian port of El-Arish, on the Sinai peninsula. The Israeli navy warned the vessel on Tuesday to change course, and said it had "begun preparations for stopping the ship".

Egyptian officials have given the ship permission to dock at El-Arish.

The ship is carrying 12 crew members and at least nine passengers, including six Libyans and one each from Algeria, Morocco and Nigeria. Organisers say the ship is transporting 2,000 tonnes of food and medicine for people in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli navy denied reports that it issued any ultimatum to the ship. Organisers on board said the navy warned it would take over the ship if it did not change course.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/07/2010713124046138256.html

The lesson: If you respond with strength to the earliest provocations, you discourage future provocations.