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Greta Thunberg arrested by Israeli forcesGreta Thunberg, who was on the Alma in the flotilla, was arrested and taken into custody at the port of Ashdod.Israeli military have now taken control of six vessels: Sirus, Alma, Spectra, Hoga, Adara, and Deir Yassin.In a post on X, the Israeli foreign ministry posted a video of the arrest of Thunberg, the Swedish climate campaigner.As we’ve reported, at least 20 Israeli military vessels earlier boarded a pro-Palestinian flotilla about 120km off the coast of Gaza as it attempted to breach the maritime blockade and bring humanitarian aid.The Global Sumud Flotilla was heading towards Gaza bringing humanitarian aid despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.The flotilla consisted of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, and several European legislators.ShareUpdated at 00.03 BSTKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureHere are some of the latest pictures coming in from Italy as a wave of spontaneous protests erupted after Israeli navy forces intercepted the aid flotilla in the Mediterranean.Pro-Palestinian demonstrators flood the rail track at Milan’s Cadorna railway station in Italy late on Wednesday. Photograph: Luca Bruno/APPolice in Turin clash with protesters in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla. Photograph: Matteo Secci/LaPresse/ShutterstockDockworkers, students and members of the public protest at the port of Genoa as news broke of the Israeli interception. Photograph: Emanuela Zampa/Getty ImagesShareThe Global Sumud Flotilla is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The flotilla had hoped to arrive in Gaza on Thursday morning if it was not intercepted.The Israeli raid marked the second time the flotilla was approached on Wednesday. Before dawn, two Israeli “warships” had encircled two of the flotilla’s boats and scrambled its communications, Reuters quoted the mission’s organisers as saying.Last week the flotilla was attacked by drones, which dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels, causing damage but no injuries. Israel did not comment on that attack but has said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas in the territory.Italy and Spain deployed naval ships to help with any rescue or humanitarian needs but stopped following the flotilla once it got within 150 nautical miles (278 km) of Gaza for safety reasons. Turkish drones have also followed the boats.ShareUpdated at 00.29 BSTAn Irish senator is among the people detained by Israel from the Global Sumud Flotilla, Sinn Fein said.The party said Chris Andrews had been onboard a boat called the Spectre, which was intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Egypt, PA Media reported.Irish foreign minister Simon Harris earlier expressed concern at reports around the flotilla, saying on X that he was “keeping in close contact with my officials who are working on the ground and have also spoken with EU counterparts” on the flotilla.Harris’s post said:
Tonight’s reports are very concerning. This is a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe.
Ireland expects international law to be upheld and all those on board the flotilla to be treated in strict accordance with it.
Sinn Fein said in a statement that Andrews – speaking earlier – emphasised the flotilla was a “purely humanitarian and non-violent mission carrying food and aid to a starving population”.“The Irish government and the Department of Foreign Affairs urgently need to act to ensure that my fellow Irish participants and I are not mistreated while in Israeli captivity,” Andrews said.ShareUpdated at 00.15 BSTThe Spanish government has said it is closely monitoring the situation around the Global Sumud Flotilla and that Spain “demands that the physical integrity and rights of Spanish citizens be respected”.A statement from the Spanish foreign ministry also said a permanent monitoring unit has been created and that foreign minister José Manuel Albares was “in contact and coordination with his counterparts in countries with nationals on the flotilla”.
Contact is also ongoing with the Israeli authorities and the European Union delegation in Tel Aviv to ensure diplomatic and consular protection.
The statement said the flotilla was “a peaceful and humanitarian civil society initiative” and that the Spanish foreign ministry was “fully mobilised to provide all diplomatic and consular protection to our citizens”.ShareUpdated at 23.40 BSTA former high-ranking UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office official said in a post on X that Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is “plainly illegal.”Craig Murray, who served as the British ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2002 to 2004, said that Israel did not have proper jurisdiction to intercept and detain members of the flotilla.Murray also provides further legal analysis, claiming that Israel’s actions are considered to be a genocide of the Palestinian people, and that Israel’s blockade “is plainly a part of the machinery of such genocide.”Murray also says that, due to the vessels being on international waters, Israel directly attacked the nations that had deployed the boats. “The Metropolitan Police and DPP have an obligation to investigate and act over the abduction of persons from UK flagged vessels on the High Seas,” Murray writes.ShareColombia says all Israeli diplomats to leave the countryColombian president Gustavo Petro has announced all Israeli diplomats in Colombia will be leaving the country, in response to Israel’s interception and detention of activists participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla.Petro, who has fervently opposed Israel’s war on Gaza, said two Colombian nationals participating in the flotilla were detained by Israel.“If the information is true, this is a new international crime by Netanyahu,” Petro wrote on X. “The foreign ministry should make all the respective demands, including within the Israeli justice system. I invite international attorneys to support Colombia alongside our attorneys.”“The entire diplomatic delegation from Israel is leaving Colombia,” he added.Petro has been a consistent voice on the international stage opposing the Israeli war on Gaza. He previously severed diplomatic relations with Israel. Colombia is also one of the leading nations organizing the Hague Group – an international consortium of countries calling for an end to Israel’s war.Last week, at the United Nations General Assembly, Petro spoke out in opposition to Israel. Later, he gave two speeches in New York, during which he called for the formation of an international army to oppose Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.In response to Petro’s comments in New York, the US State Department announced it would be revoking his visa.ShareUpdated at 00.09 BSTLorenzo TondoFollowing the interception of vessels from the Gaza flotilla, thousands of people have taken to the streets of Rome, with large crowds gathering outside Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government.Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” and called for the resignation of prime minister Giorgia Meloni.Protests have spread across the country: in Turin, students occupied a university building, while in Bologna thousands marched through the city centre. In Pisa and Naples, activists occupied railway tracks, bringing train traffic to a standstill.ShareProtesters in Berlin are mobilizing in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, as the Israeli government continues to intercept and arrest participants.Protesters at the Berlin Central Station chanted “Free Palestine” in front of a large group of police, videos posted to social media show.In the past couple of years, Germany has cracked down on pro-Palestinian speech in the country. “Over the past two years, institutions and authorities have cancelled events, exhibitions and awards over statements about Palestine or Israel,” Hanno Hauenstein previously wrote for the Guardian.ShareA journalist and activist on one of the flotilla’s boats, Greg J Stoker, said in a video posted to X that a number of other flotilla vessels were targeted with water cannons deployed by Israeli government forces.In the video, Stoker says that there seems to be one ship going back and forth, between the flotilla boats and the port, that may be transferring those detained by the Israeli government.ShareGreta Thunberg arrested by Israeli forcesGreta Thunberg, who was on the Alma in the flotilla, was arrested and taken into custody at the port of Ashdod.Israeli military have now taken control of six vessels: Sirus, Alma, Spectra, Hoga, Adara, and Deir Yassin.In a post on X, the Israeli foreign ministry posted a video of the arrest of Thunberg, the Swedish climate campaigner.As we’ve reported, at least 20 Israeli military vessels earlier boarded a pro-Palestinian flotilla about 120km off the coast of Gaza as it attempted to breach the maritime blockade and bring humanitarian aid.The Global Sumud Flotilla was heading towards Gaza bringing humanitarian aid despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.The flotilla consisted of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, and several European legislators.ShareUpdated at 00.03 BSTHere are some of the pictures coming in from the news wires. They show large crowds protesting against the interception of a Gaza aid flotilla intercepted off the coast of the war-torn territory:Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Rome take part in a protest to condemn the interception of the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla off Gaza. Photograph: Yara Nardi/ReutersProtests in Rome’s Piazza dei Cinquecento. Photograph: Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse/ShutterstockProtest to condemn the interception of flotilla in Rome. Photograph: Yara Nardi/ReutersShareAngela GiuffridaThousands of people have taken to the streets across Italy in a wave of spontaneous protests after Israeli navy forces boarded a flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza.Hundreds chanting “let’s block everything” gathered in front of Rome’s Termini station, prompting authorities to limit access to the station and close some metro stops, while protesters in Naples and Pisa have occupied train platforms.Other protests were sparked in Milan, Bologna, Genoa and Bari. Italian labour unions have called for a general strike in support of Palestine on Friday, with Italy’s far-right deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini threatening to impose compulsory employment measures in response. Salvini said the flotilla is “irresponsible” and that “left-wing unions are irresponsible for inciting protests”.ShareThe Mexican Foreign Relations Ministry (SRE) is calling for the respect of the “physical integrity and security” of those participating on the flotilla.According to the ministry, there are seven Mexican citizens forming part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to arrive in Gaza to provide humanitarian support. The flotilla is actively being intercepted by Israeli forces.The purpose of the activists “is none other than to offer humanitarian help. They are people in solidarity, peaceful and committed to peace, without links to violent groups,” the Mexican SRE said.The SRE then called for “respect to international law, international humanitarian rights and international human rights.”ShareLorenzo TondoSome boats from the Gaza flotilla are reported by witnesses to still be moving forward, as Israeli naval vessels attempt to block their passage using water cannon to intimidate the crews. Footage broadcast by Sky Italia shows activists on deck being hit by powerful jets of water.Those on board said they also heard loud bangs near several of the boats, believed to be stun grenades dropped from drones.ShareProtests erupted in Brussels in support of the humanitarian flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. According to a post on X, protesters responding to Israel’s interception of the flotilla began marching towards the Belgian foreign ministry.ShareSeveral boats of the Gaza aid flotilla have been stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port, the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate campaigner, and her friends are “safe and healthy,” the foreign ministry said in a post on X alongside a video that appeared to show Greta Thunberg and several masked and armed Israeli military personnel.Share
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