“Free Thiago and Saif now. And may Israel and all those enabling them be held accountable for this, yet another trampling of international law.”
The European Left have released the following statement condemning Israel’s attack on the Gaza flotilla.
The European Left expresses deep concern for these two leaders of the Global Sumud Flotilla direction committee, whose illegal detention has been further prolonged by Israel, now at least until May 5th. Their lawyers have documented clear signs of inhuman treatment.
The alleged charges against them:
Saif Abukeshek (Spanish-Palestinian): membership in / affiliation with a terrorist organisation, assisting the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, and transferring property to a terrorist organisation.
Thiago Ávila (Brazilian): suspicion of illegal activity for a designated organisation, including assisting the enemy during wartime, contact with a foreign agent, membership in a terrorist organisation, and transferring property to a terrorist organisation.
Both men deny all allegations. Their mission was purely humanitarian.
Greece must answer for its role. How did Israeli forces intercept a vessel in international waters? The Greek government must explain handing these activists over to Israel, despite the clear destiny of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment they were knowingly condemning them to.
Italy — where is the strong reaction from Meloni’s government? The boat on which the two activists were sailing was flying the Italian flag. The illegal interception of an Italian-flagged vessel demands a response.
EU statements are empty without the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Free Thiago and Saif now. And may Israel and all those enabling them be held accountable for this, yet another trampling of international law.
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Photo: Sotiria Georgiadou/March to Gaza Greece
