Eduardo González
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and his counterparts from 15 other countries warned Tuesday that any “illegal or violent act” against the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian aid project for Gaza, must lead to “accountability” for the perpetrators.
“The Foreign Ministers of Spain, Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Slovenia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, and South Africa express our concern for the security of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civil society initiative in which citizens of our countries participate,” the 16 signatories wrote in a joint statement.
The Sumud Global Flotilla, they continue, “has communicated its objective of delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and raising awareness of the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and the need to stop the war in Gaza.” “These two objectives, peace and the provision of humanitarian aid, along with respect for international law, including humanitarian law, are shared by our governments,” the signatories affirm.
“We therefore call for refraining from any illegal or violent acts against the Flotilla and for respect for international law and international humanitarian law,” the joint statement continues. “We recall that any violation of international law and the human rights of Flotilla participants, including attacks against vessels in international waters or unlawful detentions, will result in accountability,” it concluded.
The 40 vessels of the “Sumud” Global Flotilla departed from Barcelona in early September to “denounce the genocide in Gaza, break the illegal blockade at sea,” and demand the entry of “urgent humanitarian aid.” After gathering in Tunisia on September 6, they began staggered sailing a week later to join other vessels from Italy, Greece, and Egypt in international waters before heading to Gaza.
Flotilla officials accused Israel on Monday of using European Union airspace, specifically those of Italy (Sicily) and Malta, to transport “operational resources” with the aim of attacking the vessels. These actions “violate Tunisia’s sovereignty” and “would not have been possible without the full knowledge of two sovereign European countries” and without the “collaboration of the United States,” they added.
“This level of impunity in violating all international treaties is only possible because Israel has been given carte blanche to do so for too long, with the passivity of some countries and the complicity of others,” they denounced.
