Ukraine in Arabic | Gaza aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli Navy
Kiev/ Ukraine in Arabic/ The Israeli Navy has intercepted a ship leading a four-vessel aid flotilla en route to Gaza and diverted it to Ashdod Port.
Pro-Palestinian activists were manning the ship in a mission aimed at protesting against a long-standing Israeli maritime blockade of Hamas-run Gaza. According to a statement from the Israeli military, action to divert the flotilla was taken in international waters, to prevent the latest in a series of “intended” breaches of the cordon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added:
“They chose to come and protest in the State of Israel, the only real democratic state in the Middle East which is fighting against terrorists who deliberately fire at Israeli citizens and deliberately hide behind Palestinian civilians. Therefore, this flotilla is a demonstration of hypocrisy.”
A euronews source on board says three other vessels turned back. The pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement claims around 50 activists from 17 countries were on board the converted fishing trawler leading the flotilla.
Eitan Diamond is the Executive Director of Israel-based Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement. According to its website, Gisha is an Israeli not-for-profit organisation, which aims to “protect the freedom of movement of Palestinians, especially Gaza residents.”