France summoned the Israeli ambassador over the Sumud activists

The Anadolu Agency reported on the summoning of the ambassador.

France summoned the Israeli ambassador to the Foreign Ministry over the situation regarding the detained activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla.

According to Anadolu, Paris reacted to the treatment of the activists whom Israel detained after intercepting the flotilla.

The agency’s initial report noted that the news would be updated. Details of France’s official position are expected following clarification of the Foreign Ministry’s statement.

What is the Global Sumud Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla is an international civilian initiative that attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by sea.

The flotilla was heading to Gaza to draw attention to the humanitarian situation and the Israeli naval blockade. According to Reuters, around 430 activists from 40 countries took part in the mission.

Anadolu reported that more than 50 boats set sail from Marmaris, Turkey, in an attempt to break the blockade of Gaza, which Israel imposed in 2007.

How Israel intercepted the flotilla

The Israeli navy intercepted the vessels heading for Gaza. According to Reuters, the activists were subsequently taken to the port of Ashdod and were then to be transported to Ketziot prison in the Negev desert.

The Israeli side stated that it would continue to enforce the naval blockade of Gaza. Meanwhile, human rights activists and mission participants claimed that the activists had been taken to Israel against their will.

Earlier, Euronews reported that activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla had claimed that their engines and communication equipment had been damaged following the Israeli military’s actions. The Israeli foreign minister stated at the time that the detained activists were to be transferred to Greece.

Statements regarding the treatment of activists

AP reported that following the activists’ detention, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released videos in which he mocked the detainees and called them “terrorists”. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions as harmful and shameful.

The human rights organisation Adalah reported mistreatment of the detainees and demanded their release. The UN Human Rights Office had previously also called on Israel to immediately release the flotilla activists, and at least 35 people described ill-treatment following previous detentions.

International reaction

The interception of the flotilla drew criticism from a number of countries and politicians.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called on Israel to release the activists heading for Gaza as soon as possible.

Turkey also condemned Israel’s actions regarding the Global Sumud Flotilla, calling the interception in international waters “an act of piracy”.

In France, politicians had already called for the release of French citizens detained following the interception of the flotilla’s vessels at the end of April. Anadolu reported at the time that 11 French citizens were among those detained.

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