Protests erupt in Europe after Israeli interception of Gaza-Bound Flotilla
Thousands of protesters gathered in Italy and Greece on Monday following Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and the detention of around 100 activists aboard the aid mission.
In Italy, demonstrations were held in Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin as part of a nationwide strike organized by labor unions and civil society groups under the slogan “We block everything.”
In Rome, thousands marched from Piazza dei Cinquecento to Piazza San Giovanni carrying Palestinian flags and signs supporting the flotilla, while calling on the Italian government to suspend ties with Israel and oppose military spending.
In Athens, hundreds gathered outside Greece’s Foreign Ministry demanding the release of detained activists and condemning the Israeli operation. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in support of Palestine.
UN calls for “Peaceful” handling
The United Nations urged that those aboard the flotilla remain unharmed following the interception.
“We want to make sure that all the people on the flotilla are not harmed. We want to make sure that this is handled in a peaceful manner,” UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.
He added that the UN remained concerned about interceptions carried out on the high seas.
The flotilla, consisting of more than 50 boats carrying humanitarian aid and activists from 39 countries, departed from the Turkish coastal district of Marmaris on Thursday in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza.
Türkiye condemns operation as “Piracy”
Türkiye strongly condemned the Israeli operation, describing it as “a new act of piracy.”
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Israel’s intervention against the humanitarian mission in international waters violated international law and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained activists.
The ministry added that Turkish authorities were working to ensure the safe return of Turkish citizens aboard the flotilla.
The Global Sumud Flotilla also accused Israel of carrying out “illegal acts of piracy” and demanded safe passage for what it described as a peaceful humanitarian mission.
Source:AA
