‘Maritime Terrorism’: Israeli Assault on Gaza-Bound Sumud Flotilla Sparks Condemnations
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 50 boats carrying delegates from 44 countries, departed Barcelona last month. Its mission was to challenge what rights groups have long described as one of the harshest blockades in the world.
Organizers called the voyage the largest maritime effort of its kind in decades. Reports said Israeli patrols intercepted several boats as far as 90 nautical miles from Gaza, targeting vessels such as Yulara and Meteque with water cannons.
In a statement on Thursday, Hamas described the naval assault as a “treacherous attack, a crime of piracy, and maritime terrorism.”
The group added, “We condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric aggression launched by the enemy against the Sumud Flotilla and affirm that intercepting the flotilla is a criminal act that must be condemned by all free people of the world.”
Hamas also hailed the determination of the activists who attempted to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, urging global protests and public denunciations of the raid.
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Condemnation quickly spread.
The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza labeled the attack a “war crime.”
Venezuela issued a strongly worded statement, declaring that “the only real threat to world peace is Zionism, a colonialist and apartheid ideology that systematically violates international law and human decency.”
Turkey also noted that Israel is committing “the most serious violation of international law,” calling the assault “an act of terrorism” against civilians.
European governments voiced concern. France urged Israel to guarantee the safety of flotilla members, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot saying Paris expected participants to be given consular protection and safe passage home.
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Harris described the interception as “very concerning,” stressing the flotilla was a peaceful initiative to highlight Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
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Italy and Greece issued a joint appeal for the safety of participants, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said activists “do not represent a danger or a threat to Israel” and urged Tel Aviv not to endanger them.
Reactions from outside Europe were equally strong. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned what he called a “dastardly attack,” demanding the release of detained activists. “Their crime was to carry aid for the hapless Palestinian people,” he wrote.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim accused Israel of showing “utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world,” pledging to pursue accountability through legal means.
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro went further, announcing the expulsion of all Israeli diplomats from his country. He said the interception was “a new crime” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and confirmed that two Colombian nationals were aboard the flotilla.
As global criticism mounts, organizers of the flotilla maintain that their mission is one of solidarity and humanitarian relief to Gaza, where more than 66,000 people have been killed since October 2023 as a result of Israeli genocidal war.
Source: Agencies
