Christian Aid condemns Israel's seizure of Gaza aid boat

Screenshot: Peaceful campaigners offer no resistant to Israeli forces

Source: Christian Aid

Christian Aid has condemned the interception by Israeli forces of a boat carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza as another example of Israel's dehumanising treatment of Palestinians.

The Madleen yacht had 12 activists onboard, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, when it was stopped and captured by Israeli forces in international waters on its way to Gaza early this morning. Before boarding, the Israeli forces had followed the the boat with drones and attacked those on board with a white chemical spray that stung people's eyes.

The twelve unarmed campaigners were arrested and have been taken to an unknown destination.

William Bell, Head of Middle East Policy & Advocacy at Christian Aid, said: "For Israel to restrict and then deny aid to those in need is immoral, illegal and a sign of the deep dehumanization process in place.

"This ship was a symbol of hope and defiance in the face of Israel's treatment of Palestinians, not only since October 2023, but also for years before. Since March virtually no aid has been allowed into Gaza at all. Starvation in now a reality and the hell that Gaza has become only deepens.

"Since 2007 Israel has imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Gaza and controlled what aid was allowed in and denied the vast majority of the population the chance to move beyond Gaza. A team of international legal experts on degrading treatment and persecution concurred that that closure amounted to the crime of persecution against Palestinians in Gaza."

Christian Aid is calling for all hostages, detainees and those held unlawfully to be released.

LINKS

Freedom Flotilla: https://freedomflotilla.org/

CAFOD: https://cafod.org.uk/give?form=givetocafod/

Christian Aid DEC appeal: www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/dec-middle-east-humanitarian-appeal

Friends of the Holy Land: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/