9 Miles from Gaza
The Israeli military illegally abducted the crew of the Global Sumud Flotilla ship Alma, including Greta Thunberg and Sumud leader Thiago Ávila, after attacking them in international waters last night.
Spain’s labour minister and deputy prime minister, Yolanda Díaz, described the attack on the flotilla as “a crime against international law” and demanded that Israel immediately release those it had detained. Writing on Bluesky, she added: “The EU needs to break off relations with Israel right now.”
Reports vary, but at the time of publishing, several vessels appear to be continuing. At least two vessels, including Meteque and a yacht named All In, have defied Israeli orders to stop, continuing toward Gaza. They are reportedly within 60 nautical miles of the coast. Activist Ewa Jasiewicz confirmed her boat remains underway despite threats.
As UN Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, put it:
“60 nautical miles? Wow. If ordinary citizens of the world, with small and under-resourced boats can do that, why states don’t break the blockade with their navies? Is this the world we live in? No, we do not accept it. Go, go Flotilla! Sail safe. God’s wind.”
At 3.20 GMT the official account of the flotilla (@gbsumudflotilla) reported: “UPDATE – OCTOBER 2ND, 3:20 GMT+3 30 boats still sailing strong on their way to Gaza, just 46 nautical miles away, despite the incessant aggressions from the Israeli occupation navy.”
To be clear, despite some of the media reports, the Israeli’s did not ‘intercept’ the boats – which suggests a passive and peaceful act – kidnapping people on a humanitarian and peaceful mission violates international law.
As we write, the Twitter account reporting for the flotilla, which had been relaying the boats’ journey to millions of people live last night, has had its account suspended.
This is no doubt, because the flotilla is an inspiring form of direct action, which was communicating to millions of people, and whatever actions the Israeli forces are taking, they do not want the world to see. Follow @QudsNen, the largest independent Palestinian youth news network for updates and #GlobalSumudFlotilla
Incredibly, the Mikeno ship, which had lost its signal, appeared inside Gaza’s territorial waters about 9.3 miles from Gaza.
Now we can see solidarity breaking out in support of the flotilla and against Israel flouting maritime law. In Italy, CGIL Nazionale (General Italian Confederation of Labor) have declared a general strike:
“We announce, in defence of the Flotilla, constitutional values, and for Gaza, a national general strike of all public and private sectors for the entire day of Friday, October 3rd.”
A rally in support of the flotilla has been called for later today.
Is this the world we live in- no we do not accept it !
Has Greta given up on ‘climate change’ and moved on to more fashionable causes?
At least when the Israelis detain her she’ll be safely returned to Sweden. I hate to think what would happen to her should her flotilla end up in the hands of Hamas who are not great fans of western infidels.
What a strange world we live in… .
#trendywar
I am sure the yach people are wellmeaning, but it looks like upper class media twatery.
Its people acting with a bravery you can hardly imagine, the bravest thing you have done this week is post some shit on here.
Time to improve your grammar.
Very strange when children are dying from bullets and forced starvation and you decry people trying to provide medical and food supplies and highlight what is happening to the world.
Very strange interpretation of humanity when you rile against people trying to help starving children?
By yachting?
I have a pall who was in tears because she hadnt herd from her mum in Mariopol for a month. Her mum is the Greek professor, and Mariopol has an unexplicable Greek community. Hiding probably involves sheltering in the basement where the litter goes down the tube to. They walked out through the front line.
#boringwar.
More mouse droppings!
Mouse – FYI – I am aware of how Ukrainian people are also suffering- partly from discussions with the Ukrainian family who had fled Ukraine in February 2022 who stayed with us for the following year. This doesn’t prevent me from feeling compassion for Palestinians in Gaza and the Jewish people murdered in yesterday’s synagogue attack. Similarly it doesn’t stop me being opposed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza or terrorists attacking innocent civilians.
The Spanish and the Italians should close the Israeli embassies & then deport all Israeli passport holders, all. The murders have gone on long enough – Israel is a pariah state and should be treated as such. No flights to the place, no trade, nothing. Enough is enough.
As for Manchester & the murders: would they have happened had Israel not committed genocide? Thought not.
Mike,
The Manchester Arena bombing occurred in 2017. Was that also the fault of Israel?
The citizens of Gaza elected Hamas, an Islamic terrorist organisation, to govern them. On October 7 they cheered as the hostages were taken back in to Gaza. When interviewed not one of them will mention what happened on October 7 because it was so horrific. Hamas are not just Islamic terrorists they are monsters and the population of Gaza are suffering the consequences.