Italian parliamentarians on Gaza aid flotilla say they will not ‘force' blockade

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Two Italian parliamentarians aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla told the daily Fanpage on Monday that they have "no intention of forcing the (Israeli) blockade" and putting lives in danger.

"We participate in a peaceful, nonviolent mission, and we have no intention of forcing the blockade," said Arturo Scotto, a lawmaker from Italy’s main opposition, the Democratic Party.

European Parliament member Annalisa Corrado also reiterated the "importance" of distinguishing between the expression "breaking the siege" and "forcing the blockade."

"Breaking the siege means trying to restore humanitarian channels, which international law would require and which (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu completely blocked when he excluded the United Nations from Gaza and from managing aid distribution. From that moment, international law was completely trampled," Corrado said.

She noted that breaking the siege meant fighting the famine imposed in the Gaza Strip.

"Forcing a blockade and putting lives at risk is not in the principles of the Flotilla. If anyone tries to turn the mission into that, they will bear the responsibility," Corrado added.

She reaffirmed that they "certainly" do not "force" any naval blockade, and further reiterated their position in supporting the Flotilla.

"We are here to support the Flotilla by providing media and political visibility, to carry out what we have called a 'democratic escort' through our institutional role, given that the Italian government refused to raise protection for Italians on board at the diplomatic level, as Spain has done," Corrado added.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of about 50 ships, set sail earlier this month to break Israel’s blockade and deliver humanitarian aid, particularly medical supplies, to the Gaza Strip.

UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where over 66,000 people have been killed since October 2023.