Ankara: Australian Sen. Fatima Payman on Thursday urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government to act swiftly to protect six Australian nationals detained by Israeli forces as they attempted to break a blockage by Israel of the Gaza Strip with an aid flotilla.
According to Anadolu Agency, Payman made her appeal via Instagram, emphasizing the humanitarian and peaceful intentions of the Global Sumud Flotilla. She called on the Australian government to ensure the safety and immediate release of the detained citizens, applauding their bravery and conscience.
Payman criticized the blockade of Gaza, highlighting the prolonged human suffering it has caused. She underscored that the flotilla's mission was to stand in solidarity with Palestinians and deliver urgently needed assistance. The call for action comes amid growing international condemnation of Israel's attack on the flotilla, with countries like Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Maldives demanding the activists' immediate release.
Hundreds of Australians protested in Sydney against the Israeli attack on the flotilla, with several protesters restrained by police, as reported by ABC News. The protest was part of the 'Global Block Everything' movement, which emerged in response to Israel's actions. Protesters voiced their demand for justice for those on board the flotilla and criticized the police response during the demonstration.
Israeli naval forces attacked 21 vessels of the flotilla late Wednesday, detaining at least 317 activists. The official flotilla tracker reported that 19 other boats were under Israeli attack while four continued sailing toward Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that the detained passengers were being taken to Ashdod Port for deportation to Europe, referring to the flotilla as the 'Hamas Flotilla' on its social media account.
The flotilla, which carried humanitarian aid and medical supplies, set out in late August to challenge Israel's 18-year blockade of Gaza. This marked the first time in years that a significant number of ships had approached the enclave so closely. Israel intensified its siege in March by closing border crossings and blocking essential supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and pushing Gaza towards famine.
Since October 2023, the Israeli military has killed over 66,100 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, in Gaza. The ongoing bombardment has devastated the region, leading to widespread starvation and disease.