Israel's Attack on the Global Solidarity Flotilla.

Israel’s attack on the Global Solidarity Flotilla, arresting more than 200 human rights activists, condemnation continues worldwide.

The flotilla was about 90 miles from the war zone when the Israeli navy surrounded it.

Tel Aviv/Gaza: The Israeli army attacked the Global Solidarity Flotilla, an international convoy carrying aid to Gaza, stopping several boats and detaining several activists, including renowned Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

According to Arab media, the Solidarity Flotilla had about 500 human rights activists, parliamentarians, lawyers and journalists on more than 40 boats, who had set off on a mission to deliver medicine and food to the people of Gaza. The flotilla was about 90 miles from the war zone when the Israeli navy surrounded it.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said on its social media website that “the ships of the Samud flotilla have been safely stopped” and that the arrested activists are being transferred to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The ministry also released a video showing Greta Thunberg being taken away.

On the other hand, the Samud flotilla management confirmed that the Israeli soldiers boarded the boats and turned off the cameras installed on the ships. Yasmin Akar, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, said: “Israeli ships have surrounded our ship Alma, we are ready to be stopped.”

In the Israeli Foreign Ministry video, a naval officer is seen telling the flotilla to change course and go to the port of Ashdod, so that the aid can be sent to Gaza after security clearance. However, the flotilla’s organizers rejected the offer, saying that this action violates international law and that blocking humanitarian aid is illegal according to the ruling of the International Court of Justice.

“There are about two dozen Israeli ships around us, they are coming to arrest us,” said José Luis Yabut, a passenger on the flotilla, in a video message.

International reaction :

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the Israeli foreign minister had assured that violence would not be used against the workers. However, he acknowledged that foreign nationals on the boats would likely be deported after being transferred to Israel.

Italy’s largest union has also declared a general strike against the Israeli operation on the flotilla. The union says Israel is deliberately preventing food, medicine and essential goods from entering Gaza, with children being the worst affected.

Statements from arrested workers:

A pre-recorded message from Leila Hegzi, an American activist on the flotilla, was released on social media, in which she said:
“If you are watching my video, it means that I have been kidnapped by the Israeli army. This action is illegal. I call on the international community and the US government to end Israel’s support for the genocide of the Palestinian people and ensure the safe return of all activists.’

Background

It should be recalled that the Global Resistance Flotilla is a joint effort of activists from several European and Arab countries, which is active on a global scale to break Israel’s strict blockade of Gaza. Israel had warned several times that it would not allow the flotilla to enter Gaza.