The Global Sumud flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces Wednesday midnight in international waters while en route to Gaza to break Israeli blockade and deliver aid to two million Palestinians living under siege.
Palestinian authorities condemned the assault as a “war crime and a violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions”, calling for the protection of activists and accountability for Israel’s actions.
The Israeli measure was met by widespread international condemnation as Colombia expelled the Israeli mission and canceled its free trade agreement. Turkey and Spain labeled the attack a “terrorist act and a crime”.
Belgium, Ireland, France, Malaysia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom urged Israel to “protect their citizens and ensure the safety of all participants”.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese stated that the detention of activists is illegal, and criticized certain Western governments for their complicity.
The flotilla had departed from Spain with more than 40 ships and hundreds of activists from 40 countries carrying humanitarian aid, before the Israeli navy seized the vessels 70 nautical miles from Gaza and detained those on board.
