What happens if Israel blocks the Global Sumud Flotilla: I explain the possible scenarios

These are hours of waiting and anguish for hundreds of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, who arrived about 100 miles from the coast of Gaza. The boats of the international humanitarian mission, born to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population and break the illegal naval block imposed by Israel, are now left to their destiny.

The alpine frigate of the Italian Navy has in fact issued an ultimatum, communicating that it would not exceed the limit of 120 nautical miles and that it would have accepted the activists willing to abandon the flotilla on board. But what could happen?

Unfortunately, the scenario is easy to guess. The blockage by Israeli forces could take place at any moment, given the various warnings, and the same activists are aware of it.

“We are preparing for such an imminent attack. – David Adler, one of the activists, has made it known – we know the procedures. We know the protocols. When they go on board our boats, we will not oppose. We are ready”.

We repeat it for those who still do not want to hear: the Global Sumud Flotilla works in the full legality of international law. Those who act against each agreement is Israel. – explain the activists – from this, the States can continue to carry on the Zionist propaganda and try to make a non -violent mission desist who wants to break an illegal block, or use all their energies to stop genocide, employment and apartheid, restore dignity to the Palestinian people and break any relationship with a genocidal state. If they still choose the complicity, they will have to take on the political and moral responsibility of their choices. We know we act in full legality. Our goal is only one: get to Gaza, and we are doing it at the moment.

What could happen and the previous ones

Flottiglia activists risk arrest, despite being completely unarmed and are leading a peaceful humanitarian action. Israel could try to block them asking to go back, and otherwise, hold them (to take them up or repatriate them with the country of origin) and confiscate the boats.

The Israeli government has already anticipated that those who take part in the mission, approaching the coast of Gaza, risks detention in the country’s prisons. In recent months, the attempts of the Freedom Flotilla to break the siege have ended with the seizure of the ship and the repatriation of several activists, including Greta Thunberg.

In 2010, a similar mission (carried out by a Turkish organization to bear basic necessities) from the name MV Mavi Marmara ended in the worst way. The Israeli army opened fire in international waters, killing 10 activists, and arrested hundreds of them. Today, given that the spotlights of the world are focused on the Global Sumud Flotilla, it appears more unlikely that we arrive at so much brutality (but, considering what the Israeli government is doing, it would not surprise).

Meanwhile, in case of bordering by Israel, parties, unions and citizens are ready to go down to the Italian squares and block the country. “In the face of the possible block, the seizure or arrest of the ships, we declare and confirm that we are ready for the proclamation, in a timely manner, of a general strike concerning all the workers and all the workers, public and private” has made the CGIL know.

But the rest of the world is also mobilizing for protests in support of the Palestinian people.

The position of the Italian government and the appeal (hypocritical) to responsibility

Hundreds of people, coming from 44 countries around the world, have chosen to challenge the fate and put their lives at risk and do what the world leaders should have done for some time: protecting the helpless population from a genocide and stoping the brutality of Nethalyau. On board there are journalists, doctors, volunteers, including several Italians, such as journalists Barbara Schiavulli and Saverio Tommasi.

Yet, instead of praising the courage and human momentum of these activists, our premier Giorgia Meloni speaks of “irresponsibility”, underlining that it is more provocation towards our government.

“I always hear many things about the activists aboard the Sumud Flotilla, they are called irresponsible and it is said that it is time to take responsibility. So, we have to ask the institutions to be responsible – underlined Maria Elena Delia, the spokesman for the Italian delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla. – I have never heard of asking, because these activists should be hurt in international waters? Israel in the middle of the rules no longer apply.

Fortunately, there are governments that have decided to be from the right PRTE of the story, primarily the first place the Spanish one.

We are in contact with Flotilla and with other countries, we are talking about people. Recall that it is a humanitarian mission that would not take place if Israel had allowed the entry of aid to Gaza – commented Premier Pedro Sanchez -. Flotilla does not represent a danger or a threat to Israel, so I hope Netanyahu takes into account it.

Sources: Global Movement to Gaza Italia /Global Sumud Flotilla /Cgil