Thousands rally across Europe over Israeli flotilla attack
Protests erupted across Europe, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, and Athens, in solidarity with the detained activists of the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla after Israel intercepted and attacked the Gaza-bound mission in international waters. The demonstrations, part of a nationwide strike in Italy, also criticized military spending and called for an end to complicity with Israel’s blockade on Gaza, while activists demanded the release of the 100 detained participants from 39 countries.
Thousands of protesters rallied across Europe on Monday to condemn Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla, which set sail from Turkey’s Marmaris on Thursday with 426 activists from 39 countries. The mission aimed to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, imposed since 2007, but Israeli forces attacked the convoy of over 50 boats in international waters, detaining around 100 participants. In Italy, demonstrations in Rome, Milan, Naples, and Turin were part of a nationwide strike organized by labor unions and civil society groups, with protesters carrying Palestinian flags and chanting against military spending and war policies. In Rome, thousands gathered at Piazza dei Cinquecento before marching to Piazza San Giovanni, demanding an end to Italy’s ties with Israel and solidarity with Palestine. Similar rallies in Athens saw hundreds protest outside the foreign ministry, holding banners that read ‘Hands off Palestine’ and calling for the release of detained activists. The Israeli army had previously attacked the flotilla on April 29 off the coast of Greece’s Crete island, escalating tensions over the mission’s efforts to deliver aid to Gaza. The Global Sumud flotilla included activists from countries such as Turkey, Germany, the US, and South Africa, among others, as part of a renewed attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade. Protesters emphasized the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while criticizing Western governments for allegedly enabling the blockade through military and diplomatic support. The demonstrations underscored broader opposition to Israel’s military actions and the broader conflict in the region.
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