Israeli military stops nearly all boats in aid flotilla, sparking global protests

||| FROM WHAT A DAY |||

Israeli forces raided ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip. Moments before they detained crewmembers, an activist on board detailed the “fucking scary” situation in an exclusive interview with What A Day.

• Israeli soldiers donned night-vision goggles and helmets as they boarded dozens of ships bound for the Gaza Strip last night. The ships — known as the Global Sumud Flotilla — have carried more than 400 activists over the past three months, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Their mission: Deliver life-saving goods to Palestinians and break Israel’s blockade on the territory. But that mission was cut short. A livestream showed passengers huddling together, wearing life vests, hands in the air at gunpoint.
• As Israeli forces began their raid, What A Day spoke on the phone with David Adler, a progressive activist aboard one of the ships. “I’m sitting here with my crew — lots of U.S. veterans of conscience, who are united by the same moral conviction that someone has to stand up to the U.S. government and its role in funding, arming, aiding and abetting genocide,” Adler said. “A boat is coming right now.”
• In recent days, the flotilla had been struck by multiple “unidentified” drone at night, damaging smaller vessels and intimidating people on board, according to activists. In messages via walkie talkie, Israeli forces warned that “we were entering into a war zone that we need to turn around, which, of course, is totally fictitious,” Adler said. Israel does not control international waters, and experts accuse Israel of breaking international law by seizing the boats.
• Adler only had moments to discuss the situation as crewmembers braced for direct confrontation. “It’s fucking scary. We just got surrounded,” said Adler, who is pictured in the image below.

Israel intercepted every ship except for one, which made it into waters near Gaza.

• Soldiers brought activists from the flotilla to Israel after being intercepted, according to the country’s foreign ministry. “All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe,” tweeted the foreign ministry, which posted footage of soldiers detaining Thunberg.
• But Adler and his crew weren’t optimistic that they’d be let go soon. “We’re expecting not just one night, but potentially several days or even longer in prison,” he said.
• Israel’s actions sparked protests across several European countries and drew criticism from other nations around the world. “It’s critical that we get food and humanitarian supplies to starving and desperate people in Gaza — and we should support all means of doing that,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) told What A Day. “Secretary Rubio must take measures to ensure the safety of all American citizens and others on board this mission.”

“You won’t hear from me for probably a week,” Adler said before hanging up. I texted him this morning for any updates. He hasn’t responded.

SEE ALSO | https://theorcasonian.com/orcas-resident-illegally-detained-by-israeli-military/