Seizure of the “Global Samood” by Israel; Wave of anger in Europe and international condemnations
The largest European naval fleet in support of Gaza was intercepted 75 miles off the coast by the Israeli army before reaching the shores of the Strip; an action that has sparked a wave of international condemnations and widespread protests across Europe.
According to the Sedaye Sama News Agency,The Israeli navy intercepted several vessels of the humanitarian “Samud” flotilla in international waters, triggering strong international reactions and a wave of widespread protests across Europe. The seizure operations began on the night of 9 Mehr and continued into the following dawn. The flotilla, bound to break the blockade of Gaza and deliver food and medical aid, comprised more than 50 boats and roughly 500 activists, politicians and volunteers from 44 countries, with figures such as Greta Thunberg, Mandela Mandela and Ada Colau reported among the passengers.
According to reports, the interception began while a number of main vessels were about 75 miles off Gaza. Israeli warships approached the flotilla after switching off identification systems, disrupted the ships’ communications, and special forces boarded vessels using water cannons and chemical irritants. At least 12 activists, including Thunberg, were detained and transferred to the port of Ashdod; organizers described the action as a “mass kidnapping” and “maritime piracy.”
Israel claimed the flotilla was supported by Hamas and said the seizure was necessary to prevent the entry of “prohibited materials.” Human rights organizations, however, denounced the action as a clear violation of maritime law and of International Court of Justice directives regarding aid entry into Gaza. This incident marks the third similar interception by Israel this year.
The United Nations, the European Union, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemned the action and called for an immediate investigation. Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, described the seizure as “a violation of the law of the sea and part of a process of genocide in Gaza.”
Across Europe the response was wide-ranging politically and publicly: Spain summoned the Israeli chargé d’affaires and labeled the operation a breach of international law; labor unions in Italy called a general strike and halted arms export activities from some ports; in France the La France Insoumise party organized large demonstrations; and civil groups in the UK accused the government of remaining silent over the detention of British nationals.
Thousands took to the streets in Brussels, Berlin, Rome, Barcelona, Paris and Istanbul carrying Palestinian flags and demanding the immediate release of the detainees and an end to the blockade of Gaza; large protests also took place in Ankara, including a demonstration outside the U.S. embassy.
In a statement, the Samud flotilla said communications with several vessels had been cut and that efforts to ascertain the status of crew and passengers were ongoing. The flotilla described the Israeli navy’s actions in international waters as unlawful and as targeting unarmed civilians, alleging that one ship was deliberately rammed and that forces used high-pressure water cannons against several boats. Despite these actions, Samud stated it would continue on its course and persist in its mission to deliver aid.
