Protests erupted in different parts of the world on Thursday, including Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Bogota, Istanbul, Athens, Madrid and a number Italian cities, after news spread that Israeli military intercepted the Gaza-bound international aid flotilla, detaining over 200 activists.
A number of European and South American cabinet members and lawmakers also joined the flurry to categorically censure Israel for its “criminal interception.” Colombia expelled the entire Israeli diplomatic team, and terminated its free trade deal with Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists, includes an Italian contingent. It has been trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza with medicine and food, despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.
On Wednesday, Israel’s navy fired water cannons at ships in the flotilla, jammed their communication systems and arrested activists as they sailed through international waters towards Gaza.
Italian protests
Italian unions called a general strike for Friday in solidarity with the international aid flotilla for Gaza, while protests sprang up in a number of Italian cities over the past 12 hours.
In the southern city of Naples, demonstrators got into the main railway station and halted train traffic, while police surrounded the Termini railway station in Rome after protesters gathered close to entrances.
"The aggression against civilian ships that were carrying Italian citizens is an extremely serious matter," the CGIL union said, calling the strike which other smaller unions said they would join.
The announcement comes after a previous general strike in support of Gaza and the GSF called by the grassroots Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) on 22 September which turned violent in Milan.
In the northwestern city of Genoa, the USB announced that it intended to block the port and called on all protesters to gather at 10pm (2000 GMT) at one of the main entrances.
Over the past two weeks, protesting Italian dockworkers have prevented various ships from docking and loading, targeting vessels they say were involved in trade with Israel.
Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani said earlier that his Israeli counterpart had assured him the Israeli armed forces would not use violence against activists on board the flotilla.
Argentine protests
Activists have gathered on the streets of the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, to protest against the interception by Israel of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla.
The Associated Press (AP) news agency reports that among the people in the flotilla is Celeste Fierro, a Buenos Aires city legislator-elect for the Workers’ Socialist Movement, who was on board the Adara ship, which the Israeli navy intercepted.
“The colleagues who are there are in a difficult situation, but we are monitoring it,” Sergio Garcia told the AP at the protest in the city.
“We are talking and demanding that our country’s Foreign Ministry also take action so that Cele [Fierro] can quickly be with us, so we can greet her, give her a hug, and be proud here in Argentina.”
Global leaders express anger
Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic delegation on Wednesday following the detention of two Colombians in the flotilla. Israel has not had an ambassador in Colombia since last year.
Petro called the detentions a potential “new international crime” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the release of the Colombians. He also terminated Colombia’s free trade agreement with Israel.
Turkey’s foreign ministry called Israel’s “attack” on the flotilla “an act of terror” that endangered the lives of innocent civilians.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla, adding Israeli forces had detained eight Malaysians.
"By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world," Anwar, whose country is predominantly Muslim, said in a statement.
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Harris termed the reports of interception “very concerning.”
“This is a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe,” Harris said in a post on social media. Members of the flotilla must be treated in strict accordance with international law, he added.
Source: Agencies
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