Desk Report:
Spain, Brazil, Turkey and Pakistan have condemned the Israeli raid on the Global Relief Flotilla, which is carrying aid from around the world for the starving Palestinian people of Gaza.
Israel has detained more than 12 ships in the flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea since Wednesday night. At the same time, the country has detained more than 200 human rights activists from 37 countries on the flotilla. Swedish human rights activist Greta Thunberg has also been detained by the Israelis.
On Thursday morning, the flotilla’s live tracker reported that at least 24 of the 40 ships in the flotilla were heading towards the Gaza coast.
Meanwhile, Spanish Labor Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz condemned Israel’s raid on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, calling it a “crime against international law.” She demanded the immediate release of those detained.
In a post on social media today, Diaz said that the European Union should break off relations with Israel now.
Earlier, the Spanish Foreign Ministry issued a statement late yesterday.
It said that the flotilla was a peaceful and humanitarian private initiative. Spain will continue to demand an end to the war in Gaza, the entry of massive humanitarian aid, the release of all Israeli hostages and the implementation of a two-state solution (Palestinians and Israelis living side by side in peace and security).
Along with Spain, Brazil also condemned the Israeli naval blockade of the humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza. Several Brazilian citizens and a lawmaker are on board the flotilla.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Brazil condemns the military actions of the Israeli government, which violate the rights and endanger the physical safety of peaceful protesters. The security of those detained is now the responsibility of Israel.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli naval operation on the Global Sumud flotilla, calling it a “terrorist” act.
Earlier this week, flight tracking data showed that Turkey, Spain, Italy and Greece were monitoring the flotilla’s route.
Meanwhile, Pakistan strongly condemned the Israeli interception of several ships carrying aid, calling it a “barbaric attack”.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said, “We hope and pray that all those illegally detained by Israeli forces will be ensured their safety and that they will be released immediately. It is as if they were guilty of carrying aid to the helpless Palestinian people.”
The UK government also expressed deep concern this afternoon over the interception of ships on the Gaza-bound flotilla. The country condemned the “terrible humanitarian crisis” in Gaza.
The UK Foreign Office said in a statement that it had made clear to the Israeli authorities that a safe resolution to the situation was needed.
The statement said: “We are deeply concerned about the Global Peace Flotilla. We are in contact with the families of some of the British nationals involved.”
Sources: Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera
