Israel intercepta flotilha towards Gaza and holds more than 400 activists

The Navy of Israel intercepted, in international waters of the Mediterranean, the Global Sumud (GSF) flotilla, consisting of more than 40 vessels and about 500 activists from 44 countries, which carried food, water, medicines, prostheses, toys and children’s formulas for the Gaza Strip.

Passengers include Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and at least 15 Brazilians, including federal deputy Luizianne Lins (PT-CE) and Councilwoman Mariana Conti (PSOL-Campinas).

Israel states that the boats would be taken to the Port of Ashdod, where passengers would go through immigration authorities before they were deported.

In immediate reaction, governments from different regions released communicated in defense of activists and against military operation.

The Palestinian Authority stated that Sumud Flotilla had the right to free passage in international waters and requested urgent protection from the international community.

Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Mexico, Chile, South Africa, France, Belgium and Ireland condemned interception and held Israel for the security of the detainees.

Turkey, Iran and Qatar classified the action as an act of terrorism and demanded the immediate liberation of the participants, while the UN and Amnesty International denounced the blockade to Gaza as illegal and asked for the purpose of obstruction of humanitarian aid.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that “everyone is safe and in good health”, but called the initiative “provocation yacht” and claimed that the flotilla was trying to violate a “legal naval block”.

The interception occurred at about 70 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza, in international waters. Live transmitted images showed soldiers armed with helmets and night vision glasses by approaching the boats, while passengers, with life vest, remained sitting with their hands up.

The GSF denounced that Israel purposely blocked the signs of communication and cut live broadcasts to prevent emergency requests. The movement also states that interception was “an illegal act of despair” to keep Gaza hungry and isolation.

Participants reports describe the use of water cannons, drones launching explosives, moral effects and irritating substances, as well as cyber attacks that disabled navigation systems.

Activist Thiago Ávila said it was a “psychological war tactic.” From the Mikeno boat, the coordinator of the Brazilian delegation, João Aguiar, reported that the Israeli Navy did high -speed maneuvers to form waves and hit passengers with water jets.

“We are all wet and tremendous with cold,” he said.

In a pre-recorded video, released after his arrest, Greta Thunberg denounced Israeli intervention.

“If you are watching this video, it is because I was kidnapped and taken against my will by Israeli forces. Our humanitarian mission was nonviolent and in accordance with international law,” he said.

Councilwoman Mariana Conti also posted a message on social networks: “We were kidnapped by Israel in international waters for trying to bring food and medicine to Gaza.”

Detained Brazilians

Among the confirmed detainees are Luizianne Lins, Mariana Conti, Thiago Ávila, Gabi Tolotti (PSOL-RS), Nicolas Calabrese (Emancipa Network, Argentine resident in Brazil), Bruno Gilga (USP, CSP-Conlutas), Lisiane Proença (Popular Communicator), Magno Costa (Sintusp), Ariadne Telles, Mansur Peixoto (Islamic History), Mohamad El Kadri (Latin Palestinian Forum) and Lucas Gusmão (internationalist).

In total, the Brazilian delegation had 17 members. GSF estimated the number of people detained in 443.

Itamaraty officially condemned the operation, highlighting “concern about the presence of Brazilian citizens and citizens, including parliamentarians.”

In a statement, the ministry stated: “The Brazilian government deplies Israeli military action, which violates rights and endangers the physical integrity of protesters in a peaceful action. Israel’s responsibility is the security of detained people.”

The Brazilian Embassy in Tel Aviv said it was providing consular assistance. In Sao Paulo, friends and family organized vigil at Al Janiah Cultural Space, demanding government support and the breakdown of trade relations with Israel.

International convictions

The operation triggered strong diplomatic repercussion. Colombia, in addition to demanding the release of two of its detained citizens, expelled Israeli diplomats and ended the free trade agreement with Israel, in force since 2020. President Gustavo Petro has classified the action as a “international crime of Netanyahu.”

South Africa has called for the participants’ immediate release, including Nkosi Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, and argued that the humanitarian burden reaches Gaza. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the flotilla represented “solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel.”

The Palestinian Authority stated that the GSF had the right to free passage in international waters and requested international protection. Iran, Qatar and Türkiye classified the action as a “act of terrorism.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said interception proved that the Netanyahu government “has no intention of allowing peace to flourish.”

Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Mexico and Chile also condemned the operation. Bolivian President Luis Arce spoke of “unacceptable violence” and accused Netanyahu of “state terrorism”. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the events confirm the “genocidal essence of Israel.”

In Europe, France has required safety and return guarantees from activists, while Belgium has requested respect for international law. The United Kingdom has declared itself “very worried” and defended the delivery of help via NGOs, and Ireland President Michael D. Higgins said the safety of activists is “concern of all nations.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has asked Israel to “urgently lift the Gaza block and allow vital supplies to be entered without impediments.” The Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnès Callamard, said the Israeli block is “illegal” and that “impunity of decades should end.”

Protests and mobilizations

The interceptions motivated protests in various capitals. In Rome, about 10,000 people gathered at the Chigi Palace; Manifestations also occurred in Barcelona, ​​Berlin, Brussels, Naples, Milan, Turin, Istanbul and Montevideo.

Italian union centrals (CGIL and USB) called for a general strike for this Friday (3), and student associations occupied universities in cities such as Padua and Rome, asking for the end of academic agreements with Israeli institutions. The motto “is not war, it is genocide” echoed in acts in Uruguay and other international mobilizations.