As the Global Sumud Fleet, aiming to break the blockade imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip, continues its advance, Israel is preparing to seize the ships in the fleet. The Israeli Navy warned the Global Sumud Fleet by radio, saying, “You are attempting to breach a naval blockade in an active combat zone. We will stop your vessel and initiate a seizure procedure. You will bear full responsibility for your actions. Change your course to the Port of Ashdod, where the aid will undergo a security inspection and then be transferred to the Gaza Strip.”
“So you are claiming that we are entering a place where war crimes are being committed?”
Responding to the Israeli Navy, Global Sumud Fleet Committee Member Thiago Avila said, “Are you saying we are entering an active combat zone? So you are claiming that we are entering a place where war crimes are being committed? This is against international law. I remind you once again. The International Court of Justice issued a provisional ruling that attempts to block humanitarian missions to Gaza are prohibited by international law and are consistent with the request to hold you accountable for the crime of genocide. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for your Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the crimes of starving children and people to death and using starvation as a weapon of war.”
“We demand that you do not add another one to the numerous war crimes you have committed”
Avila said, “Therefore, it is our moral duty to continue our journey. It is also our moral duty to reject the occupying power’s attempts to control humanitarian aid to our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza, who have the right to self-determination and to control their own borders. Therefore, we do not recognize you as a legitimate representative to control attempts to bring aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza. We demand that you withdraw, that you do not add another one to the numerous war crimes you have committed, and that you allow us to continue our way. Do not interfere with this peaceful, non-violent humanitarian solidarity mission we have organized for our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza. I warn you once again.”
Israeli forces boarded 3 ships
Communication was lost with many ships in the fleet due to the blackout imposed by the Israeli Navy.
In a statement made by the Global Sumud Fleet, it was said, “Israeli forces have boarded the Global Sumud Fleet ships. Communication has been lost and the status of those on board is unknown. Urgent international intervention is needed for their safety and release. The Global Sumud Fleet ships are being stopped illegally. Cameras have been blacked out and military personnel have boarded the ships.”
It was reported that Israeli forces boarded the Alma, Sirius, and Adara ships. It was stated that the other ships are continuing towards Gaza.
There are detentions
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that some activists from the Global Sumud Fleet had been detained and published images of the detained activists. Among those detained is Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Several ships belonging to the Sumud fleet have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port.
Greta and her friends are safe and sound,” the statement said.
Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “Israel’s attack is an act of terror”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the attack by Israeli forces on the Global Sumud Fleet, which set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, in international waters is an act of terror.
The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is as follows:
“The attack carried out by Israeli forces in international waters against the Global Sumud Fleet, which set out to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, is an act of terror that constitutes a grave violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians.
This attack, which targets civilians acting peacefully and without resorting to violence, is proof that the fascist and militarist policies of the genocidal Netanyahu government, which condemns Gaza to famine, are not limited to Palestinians and target everyone who struggles against the oppression practiced by Israel. We hope that this attack does not harm the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
Since the beginning of the journey, we have been acting in coordination with other countries whose citizens are among the participants in the flotilla. In this context, all necessary initiatives have been launched to ensure the swift release of our citizens and other passengers detained by Israeli forces. Legal avenues will also be pursued to hold the perpetrators of the attack accountable.
We call on the UN and all relevant international organizations to immediately take action to lift the unlawful blockade on Gaza as soon as possible, allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the region, and guarantee freedom of navigation.”
Call for a general strike in Italy
Italy’s largest trade union, the Italian General Confederation of Labor, took action following Israel’s intervention against the Global Sumud Fleet. The Italian General Confederation of Labor called for a general strike on Friday in support of the Global Sumud Fleet.
In Italy, Israel’s intervention against the Global Sumud Fleet was also protested in many cities, including Naples. The demonstrations halted train services in Naples.
