Global protests erupt over Israeli interception of Gaza aid flotilla
Key Takeaways
- Worldwide protests erupted after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Demonstrators across continents demanded stronger sanctions against Israel and an end to the blockade of Gaza.
- Prominent figures, including Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela, were intercepted at sea and face deportation.
- Significant demonstrations occurred in major cities like Barcelona (15,000), Rome (10,000), and Brussels (3,000).
- Protests included attempts to block access to arms manufacturers and calls for a general strike in Italy.
Worldwide protests have erupted across Europe, Australia, and South America after the Israeli navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of 41 ships carrying humanitarian aid and approximately 400 people, including activists like Greta Thunberg, attempting to reach Gaza. Demonstrators gathered in major cities, demanding stronger sanctions against Israel and an end to the blockade, chanting slogans like âBoycott Israelâ and âFreedom for Palestine.â In Barcelona, 15,000 people marched, and some protesters attempting to breach barriers were forcibly repelled by riot police, leading to the interception and potential deportation of figures like former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and Mandla Mandela. Protests also occurred in Paris, Rome (where 10,000 participated), Dublin, and Brussels, with some actions targeting companies accused of supplying military components to Israel. Major unions in Italy have called for a general strike in solidarity, emphasizing the urgency due to reported famine conditions in Gaza following nearly two years of conflict.
