Note: See below for article about U.S. ship possibly setting sail without permission

Texas Gov. Rick Perry urged the U.S. attorney general to take action Wednesday against Americans who plan to take part in a pro-Palestinian protest by sailing to the Gaza Strip to challenge an Israeli naval blockade.

Perry wrote that he had information that American citizens were aboard two U.S.-flagged ships that plan to challenge the blockade on the Gaza Strip. He urged U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to take legal steps to stop them from taking part, or to prosecute them if they make the attempt.

“The state of Israel is a friend and critical ally of the United States, and the only stable democracy in an increasingly unstable and hostile region,” wrote Perry, a vocal supporter of Israel who is considering a run for president in 2012. “These initiatives to breach Israel’s maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip is an unacceptable provocation.”

Under federal law, anyone who “prepares a means for, or furnishes the money for, or takes part in, any military or naval expedition” against a friendly country can be fined or jailed for three years. Perry also suggested that Holder prosecute the protesters for providing materials or assistance to a terrorist organization.

Israel has enforced a Gaza border blockade since the Islamic militant group Hamas seized the territory in 2007. Last year, nine activists were killed during Israel’s interception of a Turkish vessel in a similar flotilla. Each side blamed the other for the violence.

Pro-Palestinian activists operating from Greece were preparing Wednesday to launch what are reported to be 10 ships carrying medical and construction supplies for Gaza sometime this week. Israeli Information Minister Yuli Edelstein called on organizers to deliver their cargo via an Israeli port, but the protesters rejected that option Wednesday.

Greece is the flotilla’s base of operations, but activists won’t disclose the exact location of the boats because of security concerns.

In his letter, Perry identified two of the ships as “The Audacity of Hope” and the “The Challenger II,” both of which he said were registered in Delaware. Perry also wrote that the ships will depend on U.S.-based Inmarsat for communications and navigation, suggesting that the organization could be held responsible for the protesters’ actions.

“I write to encourage you to aggressively pursue all available legal remedies to enjoin and prevent these illegal actions, and to prosecute any who may elect to engage in them in spite of your pre-emptive efforts,” Perry wrote.

There was no immediate response from the Department of Justice. The State Department has warned Americans against participating in such a flotilla.

The Israeli consulate in Houston thanked Perry for his involvement.

“Israel appreciates Governor Perry’s support and appreciates his bringing this to the U.S. Attorney General’s attention,” wrote Eric Cohn, the academic affairs officer at the consulate.

Activist: US boat may sail for Gaza without permit

athens  |  An activist says a U.S.-flagged vessel that is part of a pro-Palestinian flotilla planning to break Israel’s sea blockade of Gaza may set sail from a Greek port without receiving official permission.

American Ann Wright repeated allegations Thursday that Israel is pressuring Greek authorities not to allow the 42 passengers and crew of the U.S. flagged Audacity of Hope to leave from a port near Athens.

But she wouldn’t say how long activists would wait for the all-clear before the 33-meter (108-foot) ferry begins its journey.

Between 300 and 400 international activists aboard 10 ships had been due to sail this week to Gaza to try and break the naval blockade Israel imposed after Hamas militants overran the Palestinian territory in 2007. — ap