Erdogan calls for action against Israel's lawless practices
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the international community to take action against Israel's "lawless" practices , referring to the recent attack on the Global Steadfastness Flotilla.
This came in Erdogan's remarks on Monday, after he chaired the cabinet meeting in Ankara, noting that Israel continues its lawless, moral and humanitarian policies towards Gaza, despite the ceasefire agreement reached on October 11 thanks to Turkey's efforts as well.
Erdogan pointed out that Israel is committing various forms of brutality, from obstructing the entry of humanitarian aid to launching airstrikes targeting civilians in Gaza, and said, "Today we have witnessed once again how Israel is being run with a fascist mentality," commenting on the recent attack on the Global Resilience flotilla that was transporting humanitarian aid to Gaza in international waters.
The Turkish president condemned in the strongest terms what he described as "Israeli piracy and bullying" against the passengers of the Al-Samoud flotilla, which includes citizens from 40 countries, and reiterated his country's support for the Palestinian people in Gaza, and all those who extend a helping hand to them.
Erdogan stressed that the attacks on the Steadfastness Flotilla will not hinder the efforts of the international community aimed at achieving justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people, explaining that his country is taking the necessary measures to ensure the safe return of Turkish citizens on board the flotilla to their country, and concluded: "I call on the international community to take action against Israel's lawless practices."
10 countries strongly condemn Israel's attacks on the "Steadfastness Flotilla"
Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Spain, Colombia, Libya, Maldives, Pakistan, and Jordan have condemned in the strongest terms the repeated Israeli attacks on the Global Resilience Flotilla.
"The ministers recall with deep concern past Israeli interventions against humanitarian flotillas in international waters, and condemn the continuation of hostilities targeting civilian ships and humanitarian aid activists," the statement said in a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of the aforementioned countries on Monday.
The statement added that the attacks on ships, attacks and arbitrary detentions of activists constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
The Ministers expressed grave concern for the safety and security of civilians participating in the flotilla, calling for the immediate release of all detained activists and full respect for their rights and dignity.
The statement stressed that the repeated attacks on peaceful humanitarian initiatives reflect the continued disregard for international law and freedom of navigation, calling on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities, ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian missions, and take concrete steps to end impunity and ensure accountability for these violations.
"The foreign ministers of Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Spain, Colombia, Libya, Maldives, Pakistan and Jordan condemn in the strongest terms the repeated Israeli attacks on the Global Steadfastness Flotilla, a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing the attention of the international community to the humanitarian catastrophe affecting the Palestinian people," the statement said.
European lawmaker calls on Israel to release activists
Italian member of the European Parliament, Danilo Della Valle, criticized Israel's attack on the "Global Resilience Flotilla" boats aimed at breaking the blockade of Gaza in international waters in the Mediterranean, saying: "Those carrying humanitarian aid cannot be treated as criminals."
This came in a post published on Monday on the "X" platform, in which he explained that they received the news of the attack while preparing for the plenary session of the European Parliament in the city of Strasbourg, noting that among the detainees are peace activists from around the world, in addition to the Five Star Movement's MP, Dario Carotento.
He stressed that those carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza cannot be treated as criminals, adding: "Voices that speak of the ongoing genocide in Gaza cannot be silenced by force, and Israel must stop immediately."
They have sent a letter to the Italian government demanding that concrete steps be taken to ensure the safety of activists immediately, and that detained Italian citizens be released.
Repeated Israeli Crimes
Earlier on Monday, Israeli forces arrested about 100 activists about 100 miles off the Israeli coast who were part of the "Steadfastness Flotilla" that sailed with the participation of 54 boats on Thursday from the Turkish city of Marmaris in a new attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza since 2007.
On April 29, the Israeli military launched an attack in international waters off the island of Crete that targeted boats belonging to the flotilla, which included 345 participants from 39 countries, including Turkish citizens.
At the time, Israel seized 21 boats with about 175 activists on board, while the rest of the boats continued their journey towards Greek territorial waters, and later, in international waters, Israeli forces released the activists, with the exception of two (a Spaniard and a Brazilian) whom they took to detention centers inside the country, before later deporting them.