Gaza flotilla attacks an act of terror on the seas
Responding to reported attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla which is carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza with four Scottish activists on board, Scottish Greens MSP Patrick Harvie said:
“These acts of terror on the seas are an outrage, and could easily result in serious injury or death.
"If these attacks are being carried out by Israeli forces, or on their behalf, then the response from the international community has to be to isolate and sanction them and to finally hold them accountable.
“The Italian navy has said that they will work to secure the safety of the flotilla and, with UK citizens on board, the UK must do the same.
“It should not be down to small groups of committed campaigners to risk their lives to ensure Palestinians are able to access the most basic human rights of food, water and medical supplies. The fact that Israel has been allowed to blockade basic aid and starve Palestinians has been a terrible failure of the international community.
“The UK Government has just formally recognised a Palestinian state, but those words have to be backed up with actions. This is the first test of that commitment.
“What Israeli forces are inflicting against Palestine is genocide. There is a responsibility on all governments to stand up to Israel, stop all funding and support for Netenyahu’s apartheid regime, and ensure urgent humanitarian aid is delivered to the people of Gaza.”