In several cities the protests were described as some of the largest since the war on Gaza began

~ Cristina Sykes ~

Protests erupted worldwide last night as the Israeli military began to intercept the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters. The convoy, carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies bound for Gaza, was surrounded on Wednesday evening less than an hour after its lead ship, Alma, reported spotting over 20 unidentified vessels on its radar.

Spontaneous demonstrations were reported in Paris, Istanbul, Brussels and Berlin. In Italy, which has been at the forefront of solidarity actions in recent weeks, thousands took to the streets in Florence and Rome, while protesters occupied train stations in Milan and Naples, halting traffic. Protests also broke out in Barcelona, Madrid, Athens, Ankara, Siena and Mexico City. In several cities the protests were described as some of the largest since the war on Gaza began.

Video: Contre-Attaque

Eyewitnesses reported that the Alma and at least one other vessel, Sirius, were boarded after Israeli warships cut live broadcasts and communications. Before the raid, organisers had posted footage of radio exchanges in which Israeli forces threatened to seize the flotilla for breaking what they described as a “legal blockade”. The Alma’s captain was reported to have defied repeated orders to stop.

The current status of the flotilla’s participants remains unclear, with communications cut off and no confirmation of where detainees have been taken. Israeli military sources released footage claiming to show detained activists receiving “humanitarian care”.

The flotilla, launched at the end of August, was the fourth recent sea-borne attempt to bring supplies into Gaza, following the Conscience, Madleen and Handala missions. By the time of interception the convoy had only 81 nautical miles left to Gaza, already beyond the point where Madleen was halted earlier this year.

Italian trade unions called a general strike for tomorrow (3 October) in support of the flotilla. The unions reiterated that the strike would denounce not only Israel’s assault on Gaza but also the inaction of European governments “collaborating with war crimes” by failing to act against the blockade.