Warsaw, May 21 (SANA) Poland summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires on Thursday after Israeli authorities detained activists aboard the Gaza-bound Sumud Freedom Flotilla, including Polish citizens, in a move that has drawn international criticism.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Warsaw demanded the immediate release of the detainees and a formal apology from Israel over the treatment of the activists.
“Poland strongly condemns the behavior of representatives of the Israeli authorities toward activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla who were detained by the Israeli army, including Polish citizens,” Sikorski wrote on X.
He said Polish consular officials were seeking access to the detainees and that Poland expected its citizens to be treated in accordance with international standards.
Sikorski added that Israel’s chargé d’affaires had been summoned “to express our strong protest and demand an apology” over what he described as the “highly inappropriate behavior” of a member of the Israeli government.
The diplomatic protest came a day after Israeli police forced detained activists from the aid flotilla to kneel on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs in the presence of an Israeli minister, according to footage and witness accounts that triggered criticism from foreign officials and members of Israel’s own government.
The flotilla, organized by international pro-Palestinian activists, had been attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s restrictions on access to the territory.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the enclave in 2007, saying the restrictions are necessary for security reasons. Human rights groups and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly criticized the blockade and restrictions on aid access, particularly during the ongoing war in Gaza.
The incident comes amid growing international pressure on Israel over humanitarian conditions in the enclave, where aid agencies have warned of worsening shortages of food, medicine and fuel after months of conflict.
N.J/ABD
