MEP: Israel’s Seizure of “Samoud” Vessels Is Criminal
A member of the European Parliament told Al Jazeera that Israel’s naval forces’ interception of the Samud fleet is illegal and constitutes a criminal action, according to webangah News Agency citing Mehr news Agency.
The parliamentarian added that the international community should have protected the Samud fleet, which was heading to Gaza to draw global attention to the situation there.
He also noted growing anger among European citizens towards Israel, warning that stopping the Samud fleet will only escalate Europe’s outrage against Israel.
The Global samud Fleet confirmed moments ago that some of it’s vessels were seized by Israeli forces.
The International Committee for breaking Gaza’s siege reported that Israeli boats surrounded ships belonging to the Samud fleet.
According to media reports,communication was cut off with several ships in the Global Samud Fleet,including one named Omar Al-Mukhtar,as Israeli naval vessels approached them.
Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers used loudspeakers to threaten activists aboard the fleet with arrest. One activist responded: “We are carrying milk and medicine on a humanitarian mission. you are committing war crimes.”
Some news sources stated that Israeli forces detained crew members from two ships named Alma and Cyrus.
Reuters reported that Israel’s navy directed the Samud fleet to change course toward ashdod port.
