A boat carrying a group of Jewish pro-Palestinian activists who had planned to break the naval blockade of Gaza is believed to have been peacefully intercepted by Israeli soldiers.

The “Jewish boat” was boarded by Israel’s navy after the crew refused to change course. The IDF said they ignored two warnings that continuing into the blockaded waters would be a breach of Israeli and international law.

An IDF spokesperson said: "It is an unfortunate fact that the Israeli Navy has to be distracted from its acts of preventing terror and weapons-smuggling to Israel's enemies, and deal with this kind of provocation.”

It has been redirected to the port of Ashdod, where peace activists have gathered to protest against Israel's decision.

The boat, organised by members of Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JfJP) set sail from Cyprus on Sunday.

JfJP spokesman Richard Kuper previously maintained that the boat’s nine passengers would “not engage in any physical confrontation."