ADVERTISEMENT

Pro-Gaza ship activists deported from Israel

Four of the activists arrived back in the Scandinavian country on Wednesday, and the three others were expected later in the day, Ship to Gaza Sweden spokesman Dror Feiler told AFP.

The Israeli navy said it intercepted the ship, Freedom for Gaza, late Friday "in accordance with international law", and took it to the port of Ashdod.

The ship was carrying medical supplies and had a total of 12 crew and activists on board, hailing from Sweden, Spain, Canada and Germany and France. All have been deported, Feiler said.

Meanwhile, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said Wednesday Israel's interception and boarding of the ship, as well as the detention of the activists and crew, violated international law.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The (Swedish) government has been in contact with Israeli authorities about Ship to Gaza and has insisted that the actions of the Israeli authorities regarding the Swedish-flagged vessel Freedom and the people on board are not backed up by international law," Wallstrom said in a statement.

She said her government had also demanded that the ship and its cargo be released.

-'Break the blockade'-

The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade for more than a decade, with Israel saying it is necessary to prevent the Palestinian enclave's militant Hamas rulers from obtaining weapons.

Israel has defended the legality of Friday's seizure, recalling that a 2011 UN report found its naval blockade on Gaza was legal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Freedom was the second boat of the "Freedom Flotilla" to be intercepted en route to "break the blockade" on Gaza, organisers said.

Four boats left Scandinavia in mid-May and stopped in some 28 ports along the way, with two remaining behind after a recent stop in the Italian port of Palermo.

On Sunday, the Israeli navy intercepted a Norwegian-flagged activist boat that was part of the flotilla.

Israel has fought three wars with Palestinian militants in Gaza since 2008 and says the blockade is necessary to keep them from obtaining weapons or material that could be used for military purposes.

UN officials have called for the blockade to be lifted, citing deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian enclave run by Islamist movement Hamas and where 80 percent of the two million population are dependent on aid.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Ogun FRSC set to arrest motorists with petrol-filled jerry cans in vehicles

Ogun FRSC set to arrest motorists with petrol-filled jerry cans in vehicles

Fruit waste from Ketu market can generate power for homes, markets, industries

Fruit waste from Ketu market can generate power for homes, markets, industries

Tinubu's 2nd term bid at risk over 'betrayal' of El-Rufai, Yahaya Bello - Sowunmi

Tinubu's 2nd term bid at risk over 'betrayal' of El-Rufai, Yahaya Bello - Sowunmi

EFCC to freeze 1k bank accounts for forex dealings, investigate for 90 days

EFCC to freeze 1k bank accounts for forex dealings, investigate for 90 days

Osun petroleum agency warns marketers against fuel hoarding, inflating price

Osun petroleum agency warns marketers against fuel hoarding, inflating price

'People are setting up business centres, calling themselves pastors' - Oshiomhole

'People are setting up business centres, calling themselves pastors' - Oshiomhole

Rivers Reps console tanker blast victims, seek aid from philanthropists

Rivers Reps console tanker blast victims, seek aid from philanthropists

Tinubu says technology will curb corruption, enhance Government transparency

Tinubu says technology will curb corruption, enhance Government transparency

Comply with EFCC's arrest, avoid disgracing former Governors - Ortom

Comply with EFCC's arrest, avoid disgracing former Governors - Ortom

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT