After three weeks of preparations and negotiations in Istanbul (Turkey), the latest pressure maneuver has prevented the departure of the three humanitarian aid ships that the Freedom Flotilla, an international aid coalition for Palestine, carried out its action of solidarity and challenge to Israel.
Today, April 27, a press conference followed by a demonstration in Istanbul’s Mosque Square has served to put an end to the Flotilla’s tenacious attempt to carry out its enterprise. The activists remain attentive to a new possibility of exit, but begin to leave what until now has been the temporary headquarters of the project.
As reported in the last few hours, the withdrawal by the Government of Guinea Bissau of the flags under which the ships had to sail Adkeniz and Anadolu, has delayed indefinitely the departure to the coasts of the territory under genocide since October 7. “Sadly, Guinea Bissau has positioned itself as an accomplice to the famine situation caused by Israel,” the Flotilla denounced.
The organization has criticized the African government for its collusion with Israel. The alliances between the Netanyahu regime and the Government of Umaro Sissoco to stop a project with which they wanted to bring 5,000 tons of food, medical supplies, four ambulances and a fire truck to the population decimated by the bombings and attacks by the Israeli Armed Forces (IDF).
“We will sail” and “Palestine will be free” are some of the cries that have been heard in a demonstration in which members of the international delegation and the Turkish humanitarian NGO IHH, of a conservative nature and part of the social base of the Government, have participated. Turkish Recep Tayip Erdogan.
Although the procedures and technical difficulties established by the Ottoman port authorities were overcome, the Guinea Bissau trump card had not been advanced by the organization, which in the last hours and after various attempts, has had to give up the initial plan. The immediate future involves the search for a new navigation pavilion and the regrouping of activists for the trip. It is not ruled out that this could occur in another port, but at the moment the Flotilla is entering a period of impasse.
Despite the setback, activists have valued the action as a show of solidarity that has resonated throughout the world and has made the State of Israel nervous, which throughout the week threatened with a collision, illegal if it had occurred in waters. internationals, in charge of the elite unit Shayetet 13.
The possibility of this violent assault prompted the United Nations to issue a statement yesterday, April 26, defending the action: “The Freedom Flotilla has the right of free passage in international waters and Israel should not interfere with its freedom.” of navigation, long recognized by international law. As the Freedom Flotilla approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, it is essential that Israel respect international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid.”
