Anti-Israel activists and anarchists have set sail for Gaza, in the hope of repeating their “success” in 2010, when the Mavi Marmara attempted to break Israel's sea blockade of Gaza. The “Estelle” left Sweden three months ago bound for Gaza and stopped in a number of ports, picking up passengers and generating publicity for its mission. It is set to leave its last stop, Naples, next week, and sail for Gaza. The ship is due to reach Israeli waters in the middle of October.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel was in contact with the governments whose citizens were passengers on the ship. Israel's policy has not changed, the Ministry said, and the ship will not be allowed to approach Gaza.