In a scene reminiscent of the events of the Freedom Flotilla in 2010, a number of international journalists and activists participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla have recounted details of what they described as “violations and humiliating treatment” Israeli forces subjected them to after intercepting their ship in international waters.

Israel beating and abusing Global Sumud Flotilla activists

Italian journalist Lorenzo D’Agostino, a member of the flotilla, said that Israeli forces “took every opportunity to humiliate them”. He noted that crew members:

were beaten and deprived of water for two full days.

He added:

Greta, who is only 22 years old, was humiliated in a degrading manner. They wrapped the Israeli flag around her body and displayed her as a trophy.

British activist Sarah Wilkinson described the detention as a “traumatic human experience”, saying:

What I have learned over the past three days is that Israelis are not like us… They have faces and hands, but they are not human beings. They are monsters.

She added that Israeli forces “confiscated their food and drink”, noting that the ship was:

only 37 miles from Gaza, which could be seen from the sea.

Israeli authorities have not yet issued any official comment on these accusations.

Humanitarian fleets met with force

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from a European port in a symbolic attempt to break the blockade. Israel has imposed this on the Gaza Strip for more than 17 years. The fleet carried activists and journalists from several European countries, as well as symbolic shipments of medical and humanitarian aid.

The flotilla was intercepted in international waters before reaching the Gaza coast, where Israel detained participants and took them to an Israeli port for investigation, before some of them were later released.

This incident comes in the context of a long history of international civil initiatives that have attempted to break the siege on Gaza. Most notably, Israel stormed the Mavi Marmara ship during the Freedom Flotilla in 2010. Its forces killed 10 Turkish activists.

Despite international condemnation at the time, Israel’s policy towards civilian ships bound for Gaza has not changed. It considers them a violation of its sovereignty and treats them as a security threat.

No moral legitimacy in blocking solidarity initiatives

This incident reflects the double standards in dealing with humanitarian activity related to Gaza. In particular, the stark absence of a decisive international position on the continuing blockade and military escalation.

The testimonies of the members of the Global Sumud Flotilla once again highlight the humanitarian dimension of the crisis in Gaza. It raises questions about the moral legitimacy in dealing with international peace and humanitarian solidarity initiatives with those under siege. Each time, they are met with a wall of force and isolation.

Featured image via YouTube screenshot/CNN-News 18

By Alaa Shamali

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