Protest rallies and demonstrations took place in several French cities on Monday to condemn the detention by Israeli forces of activists aboard the ship Madleen, which was attempting to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Protest in Paris against Israel’s seizure on the Madleen ship carrying aid to Gaza
The Israeli navy intercepted the ship in the open sea the night before and towed it to the port of Ashdod, where 12 activists of various nationalities were detained, including MEP Rima Hassan, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, as well as journalists and other participants in the humanitarian mission.
These actions are part of a broader campaign of solidarity with the residents of the Gaza Strip. The protesters are demanding an end to the Israeli blockade and the opening of humanitarian corridors for international aid. At the call of the left-wing party France Unbowed (LFI), Palestinian supporters gathered in the Place de la République in Paris on the evening of June 9. A similar rally took place in the same square the evening before, just a few hours after the activists were detained on the ship Madleen. Hundreds of people took part in it.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of France Unbowed (LFI), criticised the French government’s actions in the Freedom Flotilla situation:
“Minister Saint-Martin says that “France has done its duty by warning the members of the Freedom Flotilla of the consequences.” Unbelievable. As if we were waiting for him to tell us what was happening in Gaza. “France has done its job as a consular representative,” he adds. A lie refuted by families and journalists. “France has no lessons to learn from you, who are only interested in PR.” France has no lessons to learn, but yes, it is against those who refuse to condemn piracy and illegal detention and boast of their capitulation to Netanyahu.”
Greta Thunberg back in Sweden after deportation from Israel
Swedish eco-activist Greta Thunberg has returned to Sweden after being deported from Israel. She was greeted with applause by protesters carrying Palestinian flags at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport.
When asked by journalists how she was feeling, the 22-year-old activist said she was concerned about the events and recalled the risks associated with participating in the boat protest off the coast of Gaza, where Thunberg, as part of the Freedom Flotilla coalition, intended to reach the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid.
Commenting on her flight, Thunberg said, “They put me on the plane,” referring to the Israeli authorities. In response to questions about the advisability of the trip, Thunberg stressed that the mission’s goal was to draw attention to the situation in the region.
