French President Macron slams Israel for intercepting Gaza humanitarian boat

AFP | Nice

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French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday the humanitarian blockade of Gaza was a “scandal” and “shameful”, calling for the reopening of humanitarian supply routes.

Macron also called for a truce in the besieged Palestinian territory as tens of thousands of people staged rallies across France after Israel stopped a boat, carrying a dozen activists, including Greta Thunberg, from reaching Gaza.

The rallies in Paris and at least five other cities were called by left wing parties. Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of the France Unbowed (LFI) party, called the seizure of the Gaza boat by the Israeli military “piracy”.

Immediate liberation

Macron, meanwhile, urged the immediate liberation of French nationals among the 12 activists on the vessel.

Macron had “requested that the six French nationals be allowed to return to France as soon as possible,” his office said.

France was “vigilant” and “stands by all its nationals when they are in danger,” he added.

The French government had also called on Israel to ensure the “protection” of the activists.

Macron also called the humanitarian blockade of Gaza “a scandal” and a “disgrace”.

‘Heinous attack’

Turkey also slammed the Israel move, describing it as a “heinous attack”.

The Madleen left Italy on June 1 to raise awareness over food shortages in Gaza, which the United Nations has described as the “hungriest place on Earth”, with the entire population at risk of famine.

“The intervention by Israeli forces on the ‘Madleen’ ship while sailing in international waters is a clear violation of international law,” Turkey said, calling it as a “heinous attack” by the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a statement, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said Israeli troops “forcibly intercepted” the vessel in international waters at 0102 GMT as it was approaching the Gaza Strip.

Turkey’s foreign ministry said there were Turkish nationals among those on board, with FFC’s website indicating there were 12 people from seven countries, including Turkey. Two of them hold Turkish passports. Hamas condemned the move, saying the Madleen was being taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod.