Soldier-diplomat turned peace activist Ann Wright will speak in Santa Fe on Wednesday as part of a drive to raise funds to place an American ship amid the Gaza supply flotillas launched to break the U.S.-supported blockade of the Israeli-controlled Gaza Strip.

In a phone interview from New York on Sunday, the retired Army colonel — who quit a State Department post in 2003 in protest of the Iraq war — said enlisting an American-flagged ship among the vessels sending relief aid to Gaza would show that "we the citizens of the United States do not agree with the (U.S.) policies that always protect the criminal acts done by the state of Israel."

Wright was aboard one of six ships that were intercepted by Israeli troops in international waters May 31 and was among the approximately 700 international passengers and crew members detained in an Israeli prison before being deported about three days later.

Wright will speak at 7 p.m. at the James A. Little Theater at the New Mexico School for the Deaf, 1060 Cerrillos Road. A $10 donation is requested. Her appearance is being sponsored by a coalition of peace groups, including Veterans for Peace.

The Israeli interception set off worldwide outrage when the commandos raided one of the ships, resulting in the deaths of nine people. Israel claimed the soldiers were attacked when they boarded the Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara.

Israel clamped tight controls on what can be brought into the Gaza after Hamas leaders won Gaza elections in 2007. Israeli leaders say the blockade is meant to keep weapons out of the hands of militants.

Wright said the blockade has left 1.4 million people without much-needed food, medical supplies, livestock and construction materials, and has forced residents to dig tunnels under the border with Egypt to obtain what little food, other life-sustaining materials and livestock they can.

She said Israeli troops forcibly boarded all six ships, including the Greek-flagged vessel, Challenger 1, that she and 20 other persons were aboard. She said the Israelis used concussion grenades, stun guns and paint bullets to subdue the passengers and crew, and threw one passenger to the deck of the ship.

She said a journalist was wounded by a handgun, while others were handcuffed and hoods placed over their heads.

As a defensive measure, the women on the Challenger 1 went to the sides of the ship and began yelling at the commandos that they had no right to board the vessel, all to no avail, Wright said.

Once on board, the Israelis ordered the captain to turn the ship and head for the Israeli port city of Ashdod. There, the passengers were taken to a detention center before being transferred to a newly constructed prison.

About 50 hours later, the non-Israeli detainees were taken to Ben Gurion International Airport southeast of Tel Aviv, from where they boarded Turkish airliners and were flown out of Israel.

Wright said that from her spot on the Challenger 1 about 150 yards away, she could see the Israeli vessels approaching the Mavi Marmara about 4:30 a.m., watched as they began shooting percussion grenades onto the decks and heard shots.

Wright said objective investigations of the incident have been hampered by the fact that the Israelis have not returned the cameras, computers and cell phones they seized from the journalists and passengers aboard the ships.

"There is evidence," Wright said, "but they've got it. The only thing that has come out is what bolsters their side of the story."

The Israelis have since eased restrictions on shipments into Gaza, but critics charge it is not enough to ensure the safety and health of Gaza citizens, much less stimulate economic development.

As for obtaining an American ship, Wright said it would cost between $300,000 and $350,000, and would be purchased in a Mediterranean country.

Also on Wednesday, two advocates for Israeli causes, Yishai Fleisher and Ari Abramowitz, will speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Chabad Jewish Center, 242 West San Mateo Road.

According to a statement from the Zionist organization, Fleisher is sponsored by the Zionist Organization of America and The University of New Mexico Israel Alliance, and Abramowitz by Yad B'Yad.

The two are expected to speak about current issues in Israel and the importance of Israel to the world. The appearances are open to the public. A $5 donation is requested.

Yishai, a researcher and teacher, was seventh on the Immigration Party list in the 2006 Israeli elections and served as a paratrooper in the IDF, the Israel Defense Forces, and has worked for the American Israel Public Affairs lobbying group, according the statement.

Abramowitz is cohost of an English-language Israeli TV show, an activist and speaker. Both men and their families moved from the United States to Israel in 2003.