The Manchester University Gaza occupation blog reports that the Viva Palestina convoy has been stopped by police on the M62 [later established as the M65]. Nine drivers were arrested under anti-terror legislation.

The blog reports that:

"The convoy was stopped on Friday 13th as it was driving along the M62 [later established as the M65]. Nine of the drivers were arrested; six were then released, with the Police confiscating passports and driving licences. This disgusting attempt to stop aid reaching Gaza should be condemned and described for what it is: a desperate attempt on behalf of the British government to continue Israel’s policy of cutting of Gaza’s 1.5 million people from the outside world and reducing their civilisation to rubble. This scarcely hidden form of war is just as aggressive and costly to human life as Israel’s Merkava tanks and F16 jets, and should be opposed as such.

We urge all those who have supported our occupation of Manchester University campus, those who have marched for Gaza over the last few weeks, and all those who defend a people’s right to live in peace to protest the stopping of the ‘Viva Palestina’ convoy and demand that it be allowed to continue its journey to Palestine."

Al Jazeera also reports the following:

"British police have seized three vans that were to form part of a 100 vehicle aid convoy headed for Gaza. Lancashire police said on Saturday that the seizure was made as part of an anti-terror raid in the northwest of England.

The aid convoy was organised by the pro-Palestinian organisation Viva Palestina and left central London on Saturday, the group's website said. It said the vehicles, which include a fire engine and ambulances, were carrying clothes, blankets and children's toys.

A boat had also been donated and was part of the convoy. The group said that volunteers planned to drive 8,000km through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt where they had hoped to cross the border at Rafah into Gaza on March 2.

Lancashire police said the cargo from the three seized vehicles was being "thoroughly checked by search officers who are working as quickly as they can to ensure that the parcels can be released and continue on to their destination".

Lancashire police said they were searching five houses in the town of Burnley on Saturday after arresting nine men under anti-terrorism laws on a motorway near Preston on Friday.

Six of the men have been released and the remaining three are still in custody. Police can hold them without charge until Sunday night."