Protests spark across the globe as Israel detains Greta Thunberg in Gaza flotilla raid
After Israel detained activist Greta Thunberg and 14 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, pro-Palestine protesters have taken to the streets worldwide
Protests have broken out across the globe after Israel detained Greta Thunberg’s aid flotilla, with planned demonstrations set to take place in the UK.
The pro-Palestinian Global Sumud Flotilla consists of more than 40 civilian boats and is attempting to bring humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza. Israeli naval forces have stopped 14 boats carrying aid, as reported by The Guardian.
Greta Thunberg is one of the detained activists, who was seen sitting on a deck surrounded by soldiers in a video from the Israeli foreign ministry verified by Reuters. The flotilla contains around 500 people, including politicians, activists and lawyers. Other notable figures on the flotilla include Nelson Mandela's grandson, Zwelivelile Mandela.
Intercepted aid flotilla passengers are being transported to Israel and will then be deported to Europe, according to Israel’s foreign ministry.
People across the world have taken to the streets in response, including in Italy, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and Mexico, reports Sky News. On October 1, protesters in London marched from Piccadilly Circus to Downing Street in support of the Sumud Flotilla, demanding that Prime Minister Keir Starmer intervene to assist the flotilla.
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Pro-Palestine activist group Global Movement to Gaza UK has announced a planned demonstration this evening in Parliament Square, with demands to end the siege on Gaza, release the “flotilla hostages”, end arms sales to Israel and “decolonise Palestine”. They have also organised a protest in Bristol and and placed a nationwide callout to take "to the streets for Gaza".
In Belfast, a protest was held this morning by BDS Belfast, as activists blocked a major road holding Palestine flags, as reported by Irish News.
The Foreign Office said in a statement: "We are very concerned about the situation with the Sumud flotilla, we are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved."
"The aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza."
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