Global Outcry and Protests Mount as Israel Intercepts Final Gaza Flotilla Vessel; Activists Vow Continued Efforts
Global Outcry and Protests Mount as Israel Intercepts Final Gaza Flotilla Vessel; Activists Vow Continued Efforts
Israeli forces have successfully intercepted the last vessel of an international flotilla attempting to breach the naval blockade of war-ravaged Gaza. The operation, which concluded with the boarding of the ‘Marinette’ on Friday, has sparked widespread global protests and condemnations, with cities across continents erupting in demonstrations against Israel’s actions and the mass arrests of over 450 activists.
The ‘Marinette’ was the final boat in the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying symbolic humanitarian aid. Its interception followed a two-day operation that began Wednesday night, seeing Israeli naval forces storming 41 other boats and detaining prominent figures including environmental activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, and several European lawmakers. Israeli authorities had issued prior warnings to all vessels attempting to reach the Palestinian territory.
The arrests have ignited a wave of demonstrations from Latin America to Asia. Tens of thousands took to the streets on Thursday and Friday in countries like Italy, Spain, France, and Switzerland, waving Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine!”, and demanding an end to the Gaza conflict. In Italy, a general strike called by major unions led to significant disruptions, with hundreds of trains and several domestic flights canceled, and many schools closed in solidarity with Palestinians and the flotilla participants.
Adding to the controversy, far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was filmed confronting detained activists at Ashdod port. In a video circulating Friday, Ben-Gvir reportedly mocked their aid initiative and accused the participants, from over 40 countries, of supporting “terrorism,” a claim strongly rejected by the activists.
Deportations of the detained activists began swiftly, with four Italian parliamentarians among the first known to be flown back to Rome on Friday. Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated its intent to expedite the process, while the country marked Yom Kippur on Thursday, deploying hundreds of police to Ashdod to manage the detentions. Israel has repeatedly criticized the flotilla, alleging links to Hamas without providing substantial evidence.
Despite the interceptions, activists remain defiant. Osama Qashoo, captain of the ‘Summertime Jong’ (which turned back to avoid interception), affirmed that activists are “on the right side of history.” Malaysian activist Nadi Al-Nuri, from the flotilla’s steering committee, vowed that participants “will do this again and again” until their goal of stopping the “genocide” and “liberating Palestine” is achieved. In a testament to this resolve, another nine-vessel flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza, which set sail last week from Italy, is reportedly still days away from the Palestinian territory.
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