Novelist Henning Mankel Detained on Flotilla Bound for Gaza

By Jason Boog 

mankell.jpgThe 62-year-old Swedish novelist Henning Mankel was among the many activists detained by Israeli forces yesterday on a flotilla bearing aid for the Gaza strip.

Here’s more from the AFP report: “Mankell ‘has been detained … In all, nine Swedes have been detained,’ ministry spokesman Anders Joerle told AFP, adding that they were not all being held at the same place and some had been imprisoned while others had simply been taken into custody.”

Mankel (pictured, via) had been scheduled to speak at the Guardian Hay Festival, but had to cancel. During a radio interview last week, the author declared: “It is with actions that we prove we are ready to support something we believe is important.”