On Thursday, 14 May 11 Australians departed Türkiye on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and break Israel’s illegal naval blockade as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
They include Northern Rivers locals Surya McEwan, Isla Lamont, and Juliet Lamont and Melbourne academic, grandmother and member of Jews Against the Occupation, Anny Mokotow. They were joined by 500 participants who were entering international waters from Friday night.
Five of the 11 Australians sailing in the flotilla had previously been illegally intercepted by the Israeli navy two weeks ago while traveling from Italy to Greece. As part of that operation 22 flotilla vessels were intercepted and destroyed by the Israeli Navy and ‘crew members were abducted and held on board an Israeli prison ship for almost two days at sea, reporting violence, abuse and theft of their passports,’ according to their representatives.
11 Australians taken by Israel
At 5.30pm pm Monday, 19 May, Israeli forces began a naval interception operation against the GSF in international waters west of Crete. The interception is still ongoing,’ said representatives of the GSF.
‘38 boats have so far been intercepted and almost 400 activists have been kidnapped by the Israeli navy. Their whereabouts are still unknown,’ say GSF representatives.
‘This attack on the flotilla comes just weeks after Israel’s first attempt to dismantle the fleet when it conducted a surprise interception between Italy and Greece, 1,000km from Gaza’s shores and Israel’s occupied territory. 175 activists, including six Australians, were kidnapped and held on board a prison ship for two days at sea before being released to Greek authorities in Crete.
‘At this time, 13 boats continue sailing steadfastly for Gaza. Alongside them, a convoy has embarked on the same mission by land, traveling through Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza and bring aid to the people of Palestine.’
Flotilla organisers and members of the public are calling on Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese to: ‘demand the safe release of all Australian humanitarian volunteers detained by Israel; publicly condemn Israel’s kidnapping of Australian citizens; and stop arming and supporting Israel.’
For more infomation go to the: GSF site: https://globalsumudflotilla.
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