U.S. Raises Pressure on Gaza Flotilla Activists

The Associated Press reports:

The Obama administration on Friday stepped up pressure on American activists planning to challenge Israel's sea blockade of the Gaza Strip, formally warning they face action from Israeli authorities and may be violating U.S. law.

The warning was the latest in a series from the State Department this week urging Americans not to join a flotilla planned to commemorate a similar effort to challenge the blockade last year. That voyage ended in a deadly clash with the Israeli navy in which an American citizen was killed.

The warnings came after 36 Americans said they will sail a U.S.-flagged vessel in the flotilla and come at a delicate point in U.S. diplomatic efforts to get Israel and the Palestinians to resume stalled peace talks.

American participation, which Israel has vowed to thwart, could embarrass the administration as the ship the group intends to use is named "The Audacity of Hope," which takes its name from the title of President Barack Obama's best-selling book.