Widespread international condemnation after Israel intercepts Steadfastness flotilla
Al-Khamisa News Network - Gaza
Several countries and organizations condemned the interception carried out by the Israeli navy against the “Flotilla of Steadfastness”, which was carrying relief supplies to the Gaza Strip, and the detention of several of its vessels and the arrest of activists on board.
Hamas said “the Israeli army’s interception of the Flotilla of Steadfastness and the arrest of activists is piracy and terrorism, and we call on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities by condemning Israel’s piracy and taking urgent steps to protect the solidarity activists and their ships.”
Islamic Jihad described the attack on the Flotilla of Steadfastness as “maritime piracy and a blatant violation of international and humanitarian charters, and the occupation bears full responsibility for the safety of participants in the flotilla.”
UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese said: Israel’s abduction of activists from the Flotilla of Steadfastness is illegal… shame primarily on Western governments and on their complicity.
French Foreign Ministry: We call on Israel to ensure the safety of those taking part in the flotilla and to provide them with their right to consular protection.
Swiss Foreign Ministry: Any intervention against the Flotilla of Steadfastness must comply with the principles of necessity and proportionality while ensuring the safety of participants.
Turkish Foreign Ministry: We strongly condemn the attack carried out by the Israeli navy on the Flotilla of Steadfastness and consider it an act of terrorism.
Spanish Foreign Ministry said it is following the situation of the Flotilla of Steadfastness and that the Spanish consulate in the area is mobilized.
Several countries also issued statements and condemnations denouncing Israel’s actions.
Belgian Foreign Ministry: I urge the Israeli government to respect international law, including maritime law, and for Israel to protect the ships of the Flotilla of Steadfastness.
Irish Foreign Ministry: Israel’s interception of the Flotilla of Steadfastness is worrying and all those on board must be treated in accordance with international law.
Member of the European Parliament Brando Benifei: The Israeli navy’s interception of the Flotilla of Steadfastness is illegal and a criminal act, and the international community should have provided protection for the flotilla.
Italy’s General Confederation of Labour called for a general strike on Friday in protest at the interception of the Flotilla of Steadfastness.
Earlier, an Al Jazeera correspondent reported that Israeli naval forces intercepted four ships out of 44 participating in the “Global Flotilla of Steadfastness” aiming to break the siege of Gaza, after attacking two vessels and detaining those on board; participants were arrested, including an Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent.
The correspondent said the ships intercepted were carrying dozens of activists and that the flotilla had been ordered to change course toward the port of Ashdod.
Israel’s Channel 13 reported that the navy has so far taken control of six ships in the flotilla, and quoted sources saying the operation to seize the flotilla will continue until Thursday morning.
