Scots join crews sailing to Gaza protest

Published Date: 08 August 2008 TONY Blair's feisty sister-in-law has challenged him in his role as the international community's Middle East peace envoy to "show some guts" and visit the Gaza Strip to witness the suffering of its people in person. Lauren Booth, a journalist, broadcaster and half-sister of Cherie Blair, is among about 40 civilian activists from 12 countries who plan to sail in two boats from Cyprus to Gaza in coming days. Organisers from the Free Gaza Movement say the aim i s to break Israel's "absolutely illegal siege" of the poverty-stricken Palestinian territory and set a precedent that will establish a permanent sea-link to Gaza. Ms Booth, 41, told The Scotsman: "I went to Palestine in 2005 and what I saw changed my life and I'd do anything to help the starving and impoverished people of Gaza." Israel,... [read full story]