Hamas, PLO slam Israel for boarding Gaza-bound boat
After IDF commandeers vessel with no violence, Strip’s Islamist rulers protest ‘state terrorism,’ while PA’s Erekat condemns ‘Israeli aggression’
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The Palestine Liberation Organization and the Hamas terror group on Wednesday condemned Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound boat of women activists earlier in the day.
Hamas referred to the move “state terrorism.”
In a statement, PLO official Saeb Erekat condemned what he called “Israeli aggression against today’s international flotilla that attempted to break the illegal Israeli siege over 1.8 million people in Gaza.”
The Israeli Navy took control of the boat of women activists on Wednesday evening, saying it was commandeered without violence or any resistance from the 13 activists on board.
The boat, the Zaytouna-Oliva, was intercepted some 35 nautical miles (65 kilometers) from the Gaza coast, and then began to slowly make its way toward the Israeli port of Ashdod.
El barco de mujeres a GAZA asaltado en aguas internacionales por Israel. Qué vergüenza! Que hace la UE? pic.twitter.com/ohyB2ca3xh
— Pedro Arrojo (@PericoArrojo) October 5, 2016
The group of 13 women, including 1976 Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire, was traveling aboard the sailboat in the Mediterranean Sea toward the Hamas-run coastal enclave.
In his statement, Erekat said “Palestine commends the international solidarity movement with its just cause, including the latest flotilla, composed by an all-female crew of parliamentarians, writers and human rights activists, among others.
“We call upon the occupying power to immediately release them, as well as on their countries, including Spain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada and the United States, to do everything possible in order to prevent Israel from violating the rights of their citizens.
“The Palestinian cause for freedom and independence is a universal quest for justice embraced by millions worldwide. The flotilla is a humble yet significant reminder that it is time to turn statements into concrete actions.”
Earlier, the IDF said it had acted “in accordance with government directives and after exhausting all diplomatic channels,” and that the boat was attempting to breach a “lawful maritime blockade.”
“In accordance with international law, the Israeli Navy advised the vessel numerous times to change course prior to the action. Following their refusal the Navy visited and searched the vessel in international waters in order to prevent their intended breach of the lawful maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip. The visit and search of the vessel was uneventful,” the statement concluded.
Women soldiers were placed at the forefront of the navy’s interception force, Israel Radio reported, in order to minimize friction with the activists.
The activists put up a website carrying prepared “SOS messages” by those on board alleging they had been “kidnapped” by the IDF.
SOS messages from #WomenToGazahttps://t.co/uUtRmjG9ur
Pls contact your Govt to demand their release and an end to the illegal blockade! pic.twitter.com/6EIkuPvXL4— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) October 5, 2016
Israel says its maritime, land and sea blockade of Gaza is aimed at preventing Hamas from receiving weapons and supplies which could be used for military purposes. Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007, seeks the destruction of Israel, and has fought three wars with the Jewish state since 2008.
UN officials have called for the blockade to be lifted.
AFP contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.