Israeli decision to ban departure of pro-Palestinian international activists "was a chance for them to experience the reality of the siege," a Palestinian lawmaker said on Thursday.
"This is an opportunity for them to share the feeling of the Palestinian people," said Jamal al-Khodary, an independent lawmaker who leads a committee against the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Israel rejected to give permission to nine activists, led by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's sister-in-law Lauren Booth, to leave Gaza through its territory and Egypt also prevented them from passing through Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza Strip.
"I hope this move could be an occasion to end the issue of the siege, the stranded people and the closed crossing points," al-Khodary said.
The activists, who are members of Free Gaza Movement, left a southern Cypriot port on Aug. 22, sailing to Gaza to challenge the blockade. They arrived there on two boats along with about 35 colleagues the next day and Israeli allowed their boats to dock in Gaza.
The boats returned after one week but the nine campaigners decided to stay longer in Gaza.
"Now, they are added to the record of thousands of patients, students and residents who are stuck in Gaza," al-Khodary says.
Israel imposed the blockade to Gaza last year to isolate Hamas which took over the Gaza Strip by force.
In June, Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel but the blockade on Gaza was not totally eased.
Source:Xinhua
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