Athens: Greek trade union PAME has urged widespread protests after an Israeli attack on a Gaza aid flotilla that involved a Greek ship named 'Oxygen'. "We call on all trade unions, every worker, to strengthen solidarity with the Palestinian people. Everyone, on October 10th, to the demonstration at the embassy of the murderous state of Israel," PAME announced via the US social media platform X.
According to Anadolu Agency, PAME, one of Greece's largest unions and affiliated with the Greek Communist Party (KKE), condemned the assault on the flotilla. The union labeled it as a continuation of genocide against the Palestinian people, asserting that it is supported by the USA, the EU, and other governments with interests in the region's monopolies, thereby undermining the potential for a viable and independent Palestinian state.
The union also highlighted the Greek government's significant responsibility, criticizing its failure to protect Greek crew members despite prior warnings. PAME accused the government of persisting in its strategic alliance with Israel and not implementing the Greek parliament's unanimous 2015 decision to recognize the State of Palestine.
The leader of the New Left party, recalling that their Parliamentary Group Secretary Pete Perka was aboard the ship Oxygono, demanded the government take necessary actions to ensure the Greek mission's safe return. Alexis Haritsis stated, "The government bears full responsibility for the physical integrity of Greek citizens. What we are experiencing is unprecedented and we, of course, for our part, are not going to leave these people alone under any circumstances."
The Communist Party of Greece also denounced the attack, emphasizing the "criminal character" of the Israeli state. It criticized the EU's support for Israel and the Greek government's failure to protect the crew, accusing it of prioritizing its alliance with Israel.
Israel's naval forces attacked 21 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining at least 317 activists, according to the official flotilla tracker. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that "several boats" had been detained and their passengers were being transferred to an Israeli port.
Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza for nearly 18 years, recently tightening restrictions and exacerbating humanitarian conditions by blocking essential supplies. The Israeli army's actions since October 2023 have resulted in over 66,000 Palestinian deaths, sparking repeated warnings from the UN and rights groups about the deteriorating living conditions in the enclave.