Israel Intercepts Global Flotilla as Tensions Rise Worldwide
Jerusalem/Gaza – The Palestinian group behind the Global Sumud Flotilla condemned Israel on Thursday, calling the interception of aid vessels in international waters a “treacherous act of aggression” and accusing it of adding to Israel’s “dark record of crimes.”
The flotilla, made up of about 45 boats carrying humanitarian aid, politicians, and activists — among them Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg — set sail from Spain last month. Its mission was to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of worsening famine and a growing humanitarian crisis.
Israeli naval forces moved in after issuing warnings against entering the restricted zone. Thunberg’s boat was among those stopped. According to the organizers, one of the lead ships, the Alma, was “aggressively circled” by a warship before another vessel, the Sirius, faced “similar harassment.”
Despite the risks, flotilla organizers had vowed to continue their mission, saying they were prepared for “intimidation” tactics. On social media, the group wrote it remained “vigilant” as it sailed through the same waters where earlier flotillas were intercepted or attacked.
The interception has triggered a wave of solidarity protests in Europe. In Italy, demonstrators stormed Naples’ main railway station, halting trains for nearly an hour before being dispersed by police. A general strike was already held earlier in the week, and unions have announced another for Friday, demanding tougher action against Israel. In Rome, hundreds gathered on Wednesday night in support of the flotilla.
The diplomatic fallout is spreading, too. Turkey’s foreign minister denounced the interception as “an act of terrorism” and “a grave violation of international law that endangers civilian lives.” Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also urged restraint, stressing that the activists posed “no threat” and should not be treated as such.
Israel has blocked similar flotilla attempts in both June and July this year.
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