Greece’s main opposition party on Thursday questioned the government’s role in Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla, Anadolu reports.
Lawmaker Dimitris Mantzos, the head of the PASOK party’s foreign affairs committee, said the Wednesday incident “constitutes a serious new violation of the international law of the sea and freedom of navigation.”
Urging the government to take a clear position, Mantsoz asked whether the government and relevant authorities, including the coast guard, were aware of Israel’s plans before the interception took place.
He also asked whether the location of the incident – off the Greek island of Crete – was within Greek jurisdiction for search and rescue, under international law.
Moreover, Mantsoz asked the government what actions it plans to take on the matter.
The Greek Communist Party (KKE) also condemned the “new piracy attack by the terrorist state of Israel against the international solidarity flotilla for Gaza, which put the lives of hundreds of people in great danger.”
“The Greek government must provide concrete answers, as the Israeli strike occurred off Crete, in international waters and in a Greek area of responsibility for search and rescue. Was it aware of and in agreement with its murderous Israeli allies? What did it do to protect human lives in the face of such a dangerous act, as, according to allegations, the Israelis deliberately left hundreds of people in damaged boats, in the open sea?” the party asked.
The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid, set sail two weeks ago from the Italian island of Sicily, with a total of 58 vessels aiming to break Israel’s years-long blockade of Gaza.
Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, leaving the territory’s 2.4 million population on the verge of starvation.
The Israeli army launched a two-year brutal offensive on Gaza in October 2023, killing more than 72,000 people, injuring over 172,000 and causing massive destruction across the besieged territory.
