Flotilla under attack: Israel also stops the Conscience with doctors on board (and protests mount in dozens of cities)

Tonight, at 4:34 Italian time, some Israeli navy boats attacked the ship in international waters Consciencebelonging to the Freedom Flotilla Italia, together with other boats in the network Thousand Madleens.

The boats were participating in a humanitarian mission directed towards the Gaza Strip, with the aim of transporting civilian aid, opening a maritime corridor and denouncing the siege imposed by Israel, judged by numerous organizations to be a violation of international law.

What is the Freedom Flotilla

We know it by now: the Freedom Flotilla is an international coalition of organizations and activists that for years has been trying to peacefully break the naval blockade on Gaza, bringing humanitarian aid and attracting public attention. This time, the Conscience ship left with mostly doctors on board, but also journalists and activists from various countries, including Italy.

After the latest attacks (not only that of the Sumud in recent days, but already in May, Israeli drones had hit the same ship off the coast of Malta, still in international waters) and despite this, the mission decided to restart in recent weeks, driven by the worsening of the humanitarian situation in the Strip.

The attack and the aftermath

According to what was reported by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and witnesses on board, the Israeli navy violently boarded the boats, seized crews and passengers and diverted them to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The operation took place over 100 miles from the coast, therefore well outside Israeli territorial waters.

Several international observers and jurists defined the intervention as a serious violation of the law of the sea, since the ships of the flotilla were civilian and operated under recognized flags.

At the moment, the precise number of people arrested nor their conditions are not yet known. The families and organizations are calling for urgent government intervention to obtain information and the immediate release of the detained civilians.

The political reactions

In Italy, the reactions were immediate. Various civil society groups accuse the government of not having lifted a finger to protect Italian citizens involved in the mission. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reported in recent hours together with Tajani and Crosetto to the International Criminal Court for alleged complicity in Israeli military operations, has not yet released specific statements on the attack.

Meanwhile, international pressure is growing: numerous NGOs and humanitarian networks are calling for explicit condemnation of the boarding and an end to the siege of Gaza.

Events and events in Italy

In recent days, popular mobilization in our country has increased significantly. After the general strikes of 22 September and 3 October, which blocked ports, stations and motorways, new spontaneous and organized demonstrations are expected in many Italian cities.

Already this afternoon, demonstrations have been announced in Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Florence, Bologna and Genoa, with marches and sit-ins in front of prefectures and government offices. In Rome, where over a million people marched against the genocide last Saturday, the movements speak of “all-out mobilization” until the kidnapped activists are released and all political and military complicity with the Israeli government is suspended.

Specifically: