Predictable Outcome: Zionist Occupier's Impunity Leads to Kidnapping of Activists and Journalists
As expected, given the Zionist occupier's impunity, militants and journalists have been kidnapped by Zionist gangs, in total disregard for international law and conventions protecting civilians and press freedom. These barbaric acts, perpetrated by a pariah state, have triggered a wave of reactions in support of the flotilla and the Palestinians in the Gaza enclave.
The Incident
The naval forces of the occupier intercepted several ships of the Resilience Flotilla, carrying 497 militants from 46 countries, as they approached the coast of Gaza on Wednesday and Thursday. The flotilla, composed of about 40 boats, presents itself as a "peaceful and non-violent mission" aimed at breaking the blockade imposed on Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged population.
Zionist Intervention in International Waters: A War Crime
According to the organizers, several ships were seized in international waters. Tunisian militants from the flotilla, numbering 24, as well as other foreign activists, were arrested by the occupation forces. Among them are MP Mohamed Ali Mouheddine, journalist Lotfi Hajji, actor Mohamed M'Rad, Achref Khouja, Anis Abbassi, who were on board the ship Florida, as well as Wael Nawar, Ghassan Henchiri, Nabil Chennoufi, Mezen Abdellaoui, Yassine Gaïdi, Cyrine Ghrairi, Abdallah Messoudi, Aziz Meliani, Noureddine Selouaj, who were on the ship Deir Yassine.
The flotilla also carries other media and political figures, including Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, and former Barcelona mayor, Ada Colau, as well as European parliamentarians, such as Franco-Palestinian Rima Hassan. In a statement to Le Monde, Hassan explained that the boats were seized one by one, starting with those in the front line, and that the transfers are being made to a large military ship.
Condemnations and Reactions
A few hours after the arrests, the Global Soumoud Flottille published a statement denouncing a war crime attributed to the Zionist entity, while recalling the pacifist and humanitarian nature of its mission. The text also assured supporters that a team of lawyers is already present at the port of Esdoud in the occupied territories to accompany and assist the arrested militants.
Invited on national television, international law professor Abdelmajid Abdelli denounced a genuine operation of piracy and kidnapping. He emphasized that it is a war crime targeting people who came to deliver humanitarian aid to a population victim of genocide. He also recalled that the interception took place in international waters, where freedom of navigation is guaranteed by international law. "This war crime adds to the other crimes perpetrated by the Zionist entity against the Palestinian people."
Global Wave of Indignation and Condemnations
In the face of the Zionist occupier's barbaric actions, which persist in total impunity, the international community has mobilized following the interception of the Resilience Flotilla. In this regard, more than thirty parliamentarians from the ARP have condemned the criminal kidnapping of their colleague, MP and flotilla member Mohamed Ali Mouheddine, and called for the release of all militants taken hostage.
Additionally, the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists, the trade union center, and the Tunisian League for Human Rights have firmly condemned the kidnapping of several participants in the flotilla by Zionist gangs, demanding their immediate release and an independent international investigation. Solidarity demonstrations took place in Tunis, Sfax, and Bizerte yesterday.
Moreover, several European countries have also expressed their concern and condemnation. France, Italy, and Greece have asked the Zionist entity to guarantee the safety of the participants, while Spain has summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Zionist embassy to denounce the attack. Hundreds of protesters marched in Rome and Naples on Wednesday evening, while the main Italian trade unions have called for a general strike today, Friday, October 3, to denounce the Zionist entity's action and support the Palestinian people.
