After more than 15 hours without communication with the 12 activists from the ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition’ (FFC) that were trying to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) informed that the integrants are well. Still, the government didn’t clarify which protocols are going to be adopted from now on. The information was shared by Luciana Palhares, one of the international coordinators of the mission, during an interview to ‘Conexão BdF’, from Rádio Brasil de Fato.
The integrants of the mission were kidnapped on Monday (9th) morning by Israeli forces while navigating in international waters. Since then, family members and militants put pressure on the Brazilian government for stronger measures. The Brazilian Thiago Ávila and the Swedish Greta Thunberg are among the activists.
“We remained more than 15 hours without any information. Just now, Itamaraty got in touch to say they are fine, Thiago is fine, but they don’t know exactly which protocols are going to be followed”, said Palhares. According to her, the activists can’t be reached for communication. “Thiago still can’t talk to his family, […] we don’t know anything else: what is going to be done, if he’s still going to be detained, if he’s going to be deported, how they are…”, she said.
The coordinator classified the Israeli action as a “crime”, once the activists were in international waters the moment they were surrounded and attacked. “What they did is a crime because we were in international waters. They kidnapped our activists and we are still without any kind of contact with them. We have to stop Israel, the world has to stop [Israel]”, she urged.
A week ago, ‘Conexão BdF’ interviewed Thiago Ávila already on board, when he highlighted being aware of the risks involved in the mission, but reiterated the compromise to break the humanitarian blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip. “The interception is a reality or it could be even worse. […] We are prepared for these scenarios, but we hope we can really arrive and see this humanitarian corridor for the people and that we continue on this direct nonviolent action”, shared Ávila on that occasion.
‘It’s pointless saying it’s wrong and still keep relations’
Luciana Palhares participated on Monday afternoon (9th) in the demonstration in front of the Planalto Palace, in Brasília, asking, besides freedom for the activists, the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with Israel. “The Brazilian government still hasn’t ended relations with Israel. It’s pointless saying it’s a genocide, that what they are doing is wrong, if we keep diplomatic relations”, condemnded her. “This is the biggest genocide transmitted on TV on the history […] and the governments of the entire world are not assuming a strong position”, she lamented.
The coordinator reminded that Israel has been using hunger as a weapon of war when blocking food and water and attacking Palestinians that try to seek help. “Making hunger is a war crime, attacking hospitals is a war crime, attacking schools is a war crime. They talk about Hamas, but more than 70% of the people they are assassinating are children and women”, reported Palhares.
