Newsletters
Approximately 175 activists detained by Israeli forces after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Crete disembarked on the Greek island Friday, escorted by Greek Coast Guards in four buses to an undisclosed location.
The United States backed Israel and warned European allies against supporting what it called a "meaningless political stunt," while the foreign ministers of 12 countries, including Türkiye, Spain, Brazil, and Jordan, issued a joint statement condemning the seizure as a "flagrant violation of international law."
An Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist confirmed the disembarkation on Friday morning, with approximately 175 activists taken in four buses to an undisclosed location.
Expressing his "gratitude to Greece" for its willingness to receive the participants late Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that, in coordination with the Greek government, individuals transferred from the flotilla to an Israeli vessel would be disembarked on a Greek beach within the coming hours.
According to flotilla organizers, a total of 211 people have been detained. Among those held are a Paris Communist city councilor and nationals from several countries, including 24 from Italy, 20 from Türkiye, and 15 from France.
Those detained were ordered to "get on their hands and knees" at gunpoint by Israeli speedboats, the flotilla organizers said.
The United States backed Israel's action and issued a stark warning to European governments from whose ports the flotilla departed.
Spokesman for State Department Tommy Pigott said: "The United States expects all our allies to take decisive action against this meaningless political stunt by denying port access, docking, departure and refueling to vessels participating in the flotilla."
"The United States will explore using available tools to impose consequences on those who provide support to this pro-Hamas flotilla and supports our allies' legal actions against it," he added.
The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Brazil, Jordan, Pakistan, Spain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Colombia, the Maldives, Mauritania, South Africa and Libya issued a joint statement calling the flotilla "a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative." The statement condemned the interceptions as "flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law," urging immediate release of all detained activists.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Israel of "once again violating international law by attacking a civilian flotilla in waters that do not belong to it" and summoned Israel's charge d'affaires in Madrid, urging the EU to freeze bilateral ties with Israel.
Rome and Berlin said they were following developments "with deep concern."
Italy called for the immediate release of all Italian nationals unlawfully detained.
Netanyahu called the interception "a total success" and described participants as "Hamas supporters." But National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the decision to release them, saying it "sends a message of weakness to Israel's enemies."
Saar said "condoms and drugs" had been found on the boats and published footage of activists doing cartwheels on an Israeli vessel.
Activist Yasmine Scola said her ship had been carrying school supplies and food. Amnesty International condemned the "brazen interception," saying: "The Israeli navy crossing hundreds of miles at sea just to ensure civilian boats carrying food, baby formula, and medical supplies don't make it to Palestinians reveals the lengths Israel is prepared to go to in order to maintain its cruel and unlawful 19-year-long blockade."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni distanced herself from the flotilla. "I still don't see the usefulness of initiatives that don't benefit the people of Gaza and instead give us many more problems," she said, adding she had not yet decided whether to deploy naval vessels to escort remaining flotilla ships still en route.
Approximately 30 boats from the flotilla were still en route Friday, most in Greek territorial waters south of Crete.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
