The Irene, a boat carrying nine passengers and aid for Gaza's population was taken over by the Israeli navy at noon today and denied access to Gaza. It has now arrived at Israel's Ashdod port and its passengers are being held there for screening. The boat was flying a British flag and its passengers include citizens of the US, the UK, Germany and Israel. Two journalists are also on board. Last contact with the boat's captain, Glyn Secker, was at 0937 GMT, when their path had been cut off by two military boats. Other news sources indicated that the boat was surrounded and boarded when they were less than 20 miles from Gaza's shore. Since then all phones went dead. It is unknown if any of the passengers was injured. The occupied Gaza Strip's territorial waters end 12 nautical miles from shore, but the Israeli blockade is enforced at 20 miles from shore. Israeli attorney Smadar Ben Natan who is representing the passengers is at port and has asked to see her clients immediately. Local group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has asked for permission to send an independent doctor to visit the passengers immediately, after hearing from organizers that at least one passenger suffers from serious chronic health problems and is in need of medical care. The US, UK and Germany embassies have been informed of all details and the US and German embassies have both requested the Israel grant them access to their nationals as soon as they reach land. The UK embassy declined to say whether they would do so. It was suggested by Israeli army sources that foreign nationals would be released without detention while Israeli citizens would be held 'legally liable' and could face detention or charges. Speaking from London, a member of the organizing group, Richard Kuper of Jews for Justice for Palestinians, has condemned the Israeli army's action and said that 'this boat and its fate are a symbol of the chances for peace in the region.' The way it is being treated by Israeli authorities indicates that they have no real intentions of reaching peace,' he said. He called for 'worldwide support for the boat and its message of protest against the siege of Gaza and the occupation.' Media Contact in London: Yosh, 00 44 7816 448307, 00 447921517741 Lydia: 00 44 7904 934992 Martine: 00 44 7903 010019 [email protected] European Jews for a Just Peace, Jews for Justice for Palestinians (UK), Juedische Stimme fuer einen gerechten Frieden in Nahost (Germany), American Jews for a Just Peace (USA), Jewish Voice for Peace (USA), Jews Against the Occupation Sydney. Visit www.jewishboattogaza.org for further details or follow @JnewsLondon and @Jewishboat2gaza