Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa on Sunday praised pro-Palestinian peace activists for successfully challenging the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip by boat, dpa reported.
"These Palestinian supporters who have endured hardship to deliver their message to the world and to express their objection to the harsh siege on Gaza deserve every support and appreciation," Mussa said in a statement.
Two small wooden boats carrying the 46 peace and human rights activists from 14 countries arrived in the Gaza Strip from Cyprus on Saturday, despite warnings from the Israelis.
The vessels also carried medical supplies for children in the enclave.
Mussa added that the Arab League hopes the action would be the first of a broader movement by Arab and international civic society to defy the blockade which, he said, violates international basic human rights laws.
Israel has blocked access to the Gaza Strip since the militant Palestinian Hamas group took power in June last year.