Brazil asks Israel to release activists who led help to Gaza

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry published, on Monday (9), a note asking the Israeli government to release the Madleen vessel crew, which brought humanitarian aid to Gaza in Palestine.

Among the 12 activists arrested is the Brazilian Thiago Ávila. Also part of the group Swedish Greta Thunberg is. The vessel is part of Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which operates in international humanitarian actions.

As Itamaraty highlights, the boat was intercepted in international waters: “In recalling the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters, Brazil urges the Israeli government to free the detained crew. ”

In addition, the Brazilian government calls for “May Israel immediately remove all restrictions on humanitarian aid entry into Palestinian territory, according to their obligations as occupying power.”

Read more: Brazil condemns Israel for settlements and speaks of genocide in Gaza

The activists departed from Italy on June 1 with food, medicines and other emergency Palestinian assistance items. However, last Sunday (8), at a distance of 200 kilometers from the destination, the Israeli military intercepted the boat, cut the communication and attacked the occupants.

A video published by the Flotilha organization, which kept a transmitted camera, shows the moment the group is surprised. Images also reveal that chemicals were released by drones. In addition, the military used lights and sounds as a way to disorient activists and forced them to play electronic communication equipment such as cell phones at sea.

The FFC militants who support the boat occupants used social networks to request a worldwide mobilization in the Israeli embassies in each country, asking for the release of crew and sanctions against Israel. The organization classifies the episode as “kidnapping”.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense reported that the boat was redirected south of Israel, to the port of Ashdod, where Ávila, Greta and the others must land.

Check out the full grade of the Brazilian government, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Interception of the Madleen vessel by Israeli forces

The Brazilian government carefully follows the interception, by the Israeli Navy, of the Madleen vessel, which was heading to the Palestinian coast to bring basic items of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and whose crew, consisting of 12 activists, includes the Brazilian citizen Thiago Ávila.

In recalling the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters, Brazil urges the Israeli government to free the detained crew.

It also underlines the need for Israel to immediately remove all restrictions on humanitarian aid entry into Palestinian territory, according to their obligations as occupying power.

Embassies in the region are on alert to, if necessary, to provide appropriate consular assistance, in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.