VOA标准英语2008年-International Activists Sail to Gaza

Two converted fishing boats set sail from Cyprus Friday carrying about 40 activists¹ from 14 countries to see if they can get into Gaza, which has been sealed off from all but humanitarian² supplies since Hamas militants³ seized control there last year. Israeli officials say they are closely following the boats and will take steps to prevent them from reaching Gaza. Nathan Morley has more on the story for VOA from Larnaca.
　
The Free Gaza sets sail for Gaza from the Cypriot port of Larnaca, 22 Aug 2008

Lauren Booth, a sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is among the activists with the "Free Gaza Movement" on board the two wooden boats.

"Now, Israel claims that Gaza is no longer occupied, yet Israeli forces patrol Gaza's borders by land, seas and air so the point of this mission is to get two ships to sail from Cyprus into Gaza to challenge this illegal occupation," she said.

Israel ended its occupation of Gaza in 2005, but when Hamas militants seized power two years later, the international community cut most aid to the territory except for humanitarian supplies.

Israel, which has been the target of repeated rocket attacks and incursions from militants in Gaza has effectively sealed off the area. The economy of Gaza has collapsed⁴ as a result of the near total isolation⁵.

Israel, the United States and the European Union consider Hamas a terrorist organization for its continued refusal to recognize Israel or renounce⁶ violence.

In 1988, the Palestinian Liberation Organization staged an unsuccessful effort to sail from Cyprus to the Israeli port of Haifa. The ship, named the Sol Phryne, was damaged in a mine attack in the Cypriot port of Limassol.

1 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

3 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

4 collapsed   

adj.倒塌的

参考例句：

• Jack collapsed in agony on the floor. 杰克十分痛苦地瘫倒在地板上。
• The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。

5 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

6 renounce   

v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系

参考例句：

• She decided to renounce the world and enter a convent.她决定弃绝尘世去当修女。
• It was painful for him to renounce his son.宣布与儿子脱离关系对他来说是很痛苦的。