The Gaza Freedom Flotilla has been reportedly intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces in international waters.
The Flotilla is carrying urgent aid to be delivered to Gaza, including baby formula, food, and medical supplies. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, all crew members, including the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have been detained by Israeli forces. A number of Australians are on board the flotilla, including Australian care workers.
Israel has been blocking humanitarian aid and supplies from entering Gaza for almost three months, causing widespread death and starvation. Israel has now established a dystopian system of militarised aid delivery creating concentration ‘zones’, with horrific reports coming in of Palestinians being killed and detained while seeking aid. Only days ago, it was revealed that Israel is arming criminal gangs with links to ISIS, who are attacking humanitarian aid convoys.
The Gaza Freedom Flotilla is travelling under a United Kingdom flag. The UN Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, has called on the UK Government to ‘urgently seek full clarification and secure the immediate release of the vessel and its crew’.
This is not the first time that Israel has attacked activists seeking to supply aid and humanitarian support to Gaza. In 2010, Israel raided and attacked the Mavi Marmara, part of a flotilla that set sail for Gaza. Israeli forces killed 10 crew on the spot and injured dozens more, with one dying from their injuries.
Sarah Schwartz, Executive Officer of the Jewish Council, said:
‘The Jewish Council holds grave concerns for the activists on board the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, including the many Australians on board. Israel has a history of killing activists trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and cannot be trusted to ensure the safety of the Freedom Flotilla crew. We call on the Australian government to urgently intervene to secure the immediate release of the vessel and safety of the crew.
‘It has been months since meaningful humanitarian aid entered Gaza, with Palestinians in Gaza now at risk of imminent starvation and death. The continued inaction of western governments such as Australia has created a permissive environment for Israel’s continued and increasingly flagrant breaches of international law.
‘The world is watching. We don’t have to be a “major player” to show our commitment to the basic humanity of Palestinians and be part of the global movement to pressure Israel through sanctions to comply with international law.’
To arrange an interview or for further comment from Sarah Schwartz, email jewishcouncil@jewishcouncil.com.au or SMS 0493 970 412.