Greek flotilla members launch hunger strike in Israeli custody

An Israeli naval vessel moves successful the Mediterranean Sea toward the larboard of Ashdod, Israel, Thursday. [Leo Correa/AP Photo])

Eleven members of the 27-strong Greek delegation participating successful the Global Sumud Flotilla person announced that they are opening a hunger strike to protestation what they telephone their “illegal detention” by Israeli authorities.

In a statement released connected Thursday, the radical described their determination arsenic a corporate enactment of absorption against “the transgression committed against the Palestinian radical and the continued violation of each rule of planetary law.”

“Our beingness here, our apprehension and present our hunger strike are a continuation of the aforesaid stance: that Palestine is not alone, and that solidarity cannot beryllium imprisoned,” the statement read. The radical demanded the contiguous merchandise of each flotilla participants, rejecting charges reportedly linked to Israel’s anti-terrorism instrumentality arsenic “false” and “fabricated.” They added that if immoderate harm comes to the detainees, “the work lies solely with the Israeli state.”

Israeli naval forces boarded astir of the vessels successful a flotilla attempting to interruption Israel’s blockade of Gaza connected Thursday and detained dozens aboard, including European lawmakers, drafting widespread condemnation.

Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Lana Zochiou said that Athens is successful continuous interaction with the Greek embassy successful Tel Aviv, and that the ambassador will travel to the determination where the Greek nationals are being held.

She noted that Greece has issued a demarche to Israel, raising concerns astir the information and extortion of its citizens. Zochiou besides referred to a associated statement issued Wednesday by the Greek and Italian overseas ministries, which urged that the flotilla participants’ extortion beryllium guaranteed.

Zohiou said that there is nary grounds of violence by Israeli forces, noted that each actions will beryllium taken successful Israel to supply the indispensable consular assistance, and added that “registration, power and deportation of those who participated successful the flotilla will follow.”

She besides said that Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is successful interaction with his Israeli counterpart, while clarifying that Greece’s relations with Israel, with which “we person a strategic concern and we want to support it,” has not been disrupted.