Joint List: Flotilla crew members kidnapped by Israeli Defense Forces
"Flotillas and activities that work to break the siege on Gaza will continue as long as the siege on our people in the Strip continues," stated the Joint List.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: OCTOBER 8, 2016 11:29Joint List MKs Ayman Odeh, Jamal Zahalka and Haneen Zoabi at the Tel Aviv University Nakba Day protest(photo credit: JOINT ARAB LIST)
Israeli Arab Knesset members from the Joint List spoke out in a Facebook post on Friday in support of the all-female flotilla that attempted to reach Gaza this past week.The Joint List stated that the arrest of the flotilla crew by the IDF was "kidnapping" and in violation of international law.They also accused the blockade its self as "a clear violation of international law.""Flotillas and activities that work to break the siege on Gaza will continue as long as the siege on our people in the Strip continues," stated the Joint List."Kidnapping the ship in international waters and arresting the crew is just another chapter in a series of Israeli acts of bullying against our people and yet another attempt to suppress the legitimate struggle of freedom in light of the criminal siege on Gaza," the statement continued."The struggle to break the siege will continue with those from around the world who seek freedom, the natural partners of Palestinian people and their struggle for freedom."The Zaytouna-Olivia, which set sail from Barcelona in September was seized by the Israeli Navy around 35 nautical miles off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, and towed to the Ashdod port without incident, the IDF said in a statement.The all-female “Women’s Boat to Gaza,” is part of larger movement of pro-Palestinian boats that periodically set sail to Gaza in an attempt to break the maritime blockade. There were no reported casualties or injuries.Eliyhau Kamisher contributed to this report.