Israel’s interception and boarding of the Madleen, a ship sailing with humanitarian aid for Palestine as part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, as well as the capturing of those on board, is not only a vindictive act, but also a grossly illegal one, according to Workers’ Party representative David Gardiner.
Gardiner said: “The whole world is aware how desperate the situation in Gaza is, where the population is facing total annihilation. While Israel has imposed a full blockade on Gaza since 2007, the situation is at its most horrific now following more than six hundred days of Israel’s starvation campaign and genocidal violence against the Palestinian people living there.”
“This initiative by the Gaza Freedom Flotilla is a symbolic and powerful effort to deliver aid to people who are being starved to death. Israel should remember that the world is watching closely, and will not forget this act of hostility against the Madleen and its passengers.”
“As the UN has pointed out, the people of Gaza have the right to receive aid through their own territorial waters even under occupation, and the ship has the right to free passage in international waters to reach the people of Gaza. It is clear that Israel’s interference with the ship goes against international law.”
“In stopping the ship, Israel has prevented medical aid, flour, rice, baby formula, nappies, women’s sanitary products, water desalination kits, crutches and children’s prosthetics from reaching their destination in Gaza.”
“Keeping in mind the fact that a similar ship was bombed by an Israeli drone off the coast of Malta back In May, and given Israel’s repeated violent attacks on human rights defenders and UN and civilian humanitarian missions over the years, this most recent move by Israel to interfere with a ship carrying urgently needed lifesaving aid unfortunately comes as no surprise.”
“Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is losing the support of even its closest allies because of the genocidal war it is waging on the people of Gaza. It is Israel itself, through its barbaric and anti-humanitarian actions, that is endangering the future of the Israeli state and not Hamas or Hezbollah or, indeed, as some elements of Netanyahu’s government proclaim, the two year olds of Gaza.”
“Halting the entry of all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip, where people, including babies and children, are being murdered daily, where there are almost no medical supplies and where the population is dying of starvation and malnutrition, can only be interpreted as an act of genocidal intent. Aid must not be used as a weapon of war and those carrying this vital aid ought to be protected and given free passage.”
“The Workers’ Party sends our solidarity to those on the Madleen that have been captured by Israel, as well to the Palestinian people as they continue to endure Israel’s brutal genocidal campaign. We call for an end to the genocide, as well as for much-needed humanitarian aid to be allowed to reach the Palestinian people.”