All four Austrian activists of the Gaza aid flotilla safely brought ashore

The four Austrian activists who were involved in the recent Gaza aid flotilla are safe in Israel. "According to our information, all four detained Austrian nationals were brought ashore in Israel unharmed," the Foreign Ministry told the APA on Friday upon request. Accordingly, Austrian foreign representatives are expected to meet the activists, who were intercepted by Israel, on Friday.

Gaza Flotilla Intercepted - Austrians Consularly Supported

"Our team at the Austrian Embassy in Tel Aviv is in constant communication with the Israeli authorities. A visit to the Austrian participants is planned for today," the Foreign Ministry explained. The team is striving to provide the best possible consular support to those affected "and - if they wish - to enable their early departure."

Already on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry in Vienna emphasized that Austria had repeatedly urged Israel through diplomatic notes to act in full compliance with its international legal obligations, with the utmost restraint, and in accordance with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution regarding the Gaza aid flotilla. At the same time, the ministry noted: A travel warning applies to the Gaza Strip, and Austria has very limited possibilities to provide consular or other assistance to Austrian citizens there.

A Total of 500 Activists Involved

According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, around 500 participants from more than 40 countries were detained by the Israeli navy on Wednesday evening and throughout Thursday after traveling through the Mediterranean off the coast of the Gaza Strip. According to the flotilla, among them were Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, a grandson of the late South African anti-apartheid fighter and former President Nelson Mandela, as well as four activists from Austria. One of the four Austrians is the former ski racer from Schladming, Julian Schütter (27).

All detained activists were brought to Israel and are to be deported or leave from there. Several national deputies from Europe and EU parliamentarians also participated in the aid and political mission. The activists wanted to bring food and medicine to the suffering Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt for years to prevent the militant Palestinian organization Hamas from obtaining weapons. An offer from Israel to bring the medicine and food through the Israeli port of Ashdod into the Gaza Strip was rejected by the flotilla's organizers.

Israel has been at war with the radical Palestinian organization since the Hamas massacres in Israel on October 7, 2023. The conduct of the war is increasingly internationally disputed. In 2010, nine activists were killed when Israeli soldiers stormed a similar flotilla. In June of this year, Israeli naval units had already arrested Thunberg and eleven other activists from a ship as they approached the Gaza Strip.

Last Boat Also Stopped by Israeli Navy

Meanwhile, according to activists, the Israeli navy intercepted the last boat of the fleet of private sailing and motorboats just before the Gaza Strip. A video released by pro-Palestinian activists, according to the German Press Agency (dpa), shows the Israeli boat initially approaching, and as soldiers board the activists' boat, the footage ends. Reports indicate that the boat had technical problems and was trailing behind the main fleet. Initially, there was no confirmation from Israel that the straggler was also stopped.

Activists from other countries, such as Italy, who were intercepted, were expected to return home by Friday. According to reports, another fleet is already heading towards the Gaza Strip. The nine boats are currently said to be off the coast of the Greek island of Crete.

Netanyahu Praises Navy

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised his naval forces for stopping the activists. The soldiers and commanders of the navy carried out their mission "in a highly professional and efficient manner," he stated according to the news agency AFP. "Their important action prevented dozens of ships from entering the war zone and thwarted a campaign to delegitimize Israel."

The non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated that among the detained activists were "more than 20 international journalists." RSF wrote in a statement of an "illegal detention" and demanded their "immediate release." According to them, journalists from the Spanish daily "El País," the state-owned Qatari network Al-Jazeera, the Italian and Turkish broadcasters Rai and TRT, as well as a reporter from the French daily "L'Humanité," were on the flotilla.

According to reports, another fleet is already heading towards the Gaza Strip. The nine boats are currently said to be off the coast of the Greek island of Crete.

(APA/Red)

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