Latest news with #FreedomFlotillaCoalition
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
US labor activist Chris Smalls assaulted by IDF during Gaza aid trip, group says
On Saturday night, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted and boarded the Handala, an aid ship that attempted to reach Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a grassroots international collective that has worked to end Israel's blockade of Gaza since 2010. According to the coalition, IDF soldiers beat and choked the American labor activist Chris Smalls, who was onboard the ship. Smalls is most well-known for co-founding the Amazon Labor Union. The Handala, which carried food, baby formula, diapers and medicine, was attempting to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, as Palestinians there continue to starve in what UN-backed hunger experts have called a 'worst-case scenario of famine' that is unfolding. 'The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that upon arrival in Israeli custody, US human rights defender Chris Smalls was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals. They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back,' the Freedom Flotilla Coalition wrote in a statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday morning. 'When his lawyer met with him, Chris was surrounded by six members of Israel's special police unit. This level of force was not used against other abducted activists. We condemn this violence against Chris and demand accountability for the assault and discriminatory treatment he faced.' Smalls, the only Black person onboard the boat, was one of 21 members of the group who were detained. Others included 19 civilians, including parliamentarians, medics and engineers, and two journalists. Jacob Berger, a Jewish American actor who shared on Instagram that Smalls was in 'great spirits' after his detention – everyone else who was detained, he said, should be released on Tuesday or Wednesday. The interception of the Handala came as more than 30 Israeli public figures called for 'crippling sanctions' over Israel's starvation of Gaza. Donald Trump said he wanted 'to make sure [Gazans] get the food, every ounce of food' during a recent meeting with the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer. The Handala was not the first effort by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to deliver aid to Gaza. Previous attempts, including one in June in which Greta Thunberg was arrested, were also intercepted by Israel. In 2010, Israeli commandos killed 10 activists setting sail for Gaza on the Mavi Marmara. 'We are calling on others around the world, definitely our countries, to live up to their obligation of enforcing international law, of protecting human rights, but also other institutions that are founded to do the same,' said Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian American attorney and Handala member, in an appearance on Monday on Democracy Now. 'We should not be waiting for Israel to give permission for food or other humanitarian aid to enter … we need to be breaking, challenging and breaking the blockade.' While they were onboard the flotilla, Araf said that the US government did not make contact with the seven American members of the crew, though France, Spain and Italy contacted their citizens to offer consular services after their detention. It is not yet clear if Smalls or any other American citizens have been contacted since their detention. They were 'legitimizing Israeli piracy on the high seas. And that is unacceptable to us,' she said, referring to countries that offered services following the illegal boarding in international waters. 'And that is the kind of impunity that our governments, all governments, really, have been allowing Israel to just violate international law.'
L'Orient-Le Jour
19 hours ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Far-right Israeli lawmakers seek to visit Gaza to 'explore settlement possibilities'
Release of two Australian nationals detained on humanitarian ship Handala Tan Safi and Robert Martin, two Australian nationals detained by the Israeli army aboard the humanitarian vessel Handala bound for Gaza, have been released, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, as reported by Al Jazeera. The Handala, carrying food and medicine along with 21 unarmed civilians, was intercepted by the Israeli military off the coast of Gaza on Saturday night. According to the same source, Safi and Martin were released from Givon Prison in the city of Ramla and have since been transferred to the Australian Embassy in Jordan. Far-right ministers and MPs request visit to Gaza to 'explore settlement possibilities.' Israeli far-right ministers and members of the ruling coalition have asked Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for permission to visit the northern Gaza Strip to "explore the possibilities for settlement", according to Haaretz. They argue that the area is fully under Israeli military control, is empty of Palestinians, and poses no significant security restrictions. Signatories include Likud ministers Miki Zohar, May Golan, and Shlomo Karhi, as well as Itamar Ben-Gvir, Amichay Eliyahu, and Yitzhak Wasserlauf from the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, the left-leaning Israeli daily reports. 12:12 Beirut Time Syria denies claims that Sweida is under government siege Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine el-Baba stated that allegations claiming the southern province of Sweida is under siege by the Syrian government are "completely false and misleading," according to the official Syrian news agency SANA. He added: 'The Syrian government has opened humanitarian corridors to deliver aid to our civilian compatriots in the province, in cooperation with local and international humanitarian organizations, and to allow the temporary departure of those wishing to leave areas controlled by outlawed groups.' Israeli drone drops bomb near cemetery in Aita al-Shaab, South Lebanon An Israeli drone dropped a bomb near the cemetery of Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, according to our regional correspondent. No casualties were reported. 12:08 Beirut Time UK rejects criticism that recognizing Palestinian state rewards Hamas The United Kingdom has rejected criticism suggesting that its move toward recognizing a Palestinian state amounts to rewarding Hamas. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an ultimatum to Israel, giving it until September to take steps to improve the situation in Gaza and advance peace efforts. This prompted a sharp response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed it was tantamount to "rewarding Hamas and punishing the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack." Asked about this criticism, UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander, speaking on behalf of the government during a round of media interviews, said: 'This is not a reward for Hamas. Hamas is a vile terrorist organization that has committed horrific atrocities. This is about the Palestinian people. It's about the children we see starving in Gaza.' 'We need to increase pressure on the Israeli government to lift restrictions and allow the return of humanitarian aid to Gaza,' she told LBC radio. 11:34 Beirut Time France and 14 countries, including Canada and Australia, are calling on the international community to express their willingness to recognize a Palestinian state, according to the French Foreign Minister. " In New York, along with 14 other countries, France is issuing a joint appeal: we express our intention to recognize the State of Palestine and invite those who have not yet done so to join us," wrote Jean-Noel Barrot on X, following the 'New York Appeal' made after a ministerial conference at the UN aimed at advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel reportedly considering 'alternatives' to Gideon's Chariots Operation in Gaza Israeli radio has reported that Israeli security organizations are exploring several "alternatives" to the military's 'Operation Gideon's Chariots' in Gaza, which they consider to have failed, particularly regarding the release of hostages still held in the enclave. These alternatives include an 'extreme option' involving territorial annexation, a total blockade of populated areas in Gaza, and a ban on all food aid. However, these plans remain "theoretical," according to a source cited by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, pending progress in negotiations with Hamas. 11:27 Beirut Time South Lebanon: Machine gun fire on Kfar Shuba Israeli machine gun fire has reportedly targeted the outskirts of Kfar Shuba, in the Hasbaya district, as Israeli drones continue to fly over the entire South. 11:25 Beirut Time Naim Qassem to speak at 6:30 p.m. in tribute to Fouad Shukur In the context of these ongoing Israeli violations and attacks, and debates over Hezbollah disarmament, Hezbollah's deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem is scheduled to give a speech at 6:30 p.m. today to commemorate the first anniversary of the assassination of Fouad Shukur, a former military official of the group, killed on July 30 last year in an Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut. 11:24 Beirut Time French-led diplomatic appeal for recognition of Palestine France and 14 other countries — including Canada and Australia — are calling on the international community to express their support for recognizing a Palestinian state, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has announced. 'In New York, with 14 other countries, France is issuing a collective appeal: we express our will to recognize the State of Palestine and invite those who haven't done so to join us,' Barrot posted on X. This 'New York Appeal' was made following a ministerial conference at the U.N. focused on advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
US labor activist Chris Smalls assaulted by IDF during Gaza aid trip, group says
On Saturday night, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted and boarded the Handala, an aid ship that attempted to reach Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a grassroots international collective that has worked to end Israel's blockade of Gaza since 2010. According to the coalition, IDF soldiers beat and choked the American labor activist Chris Smalls, who was onboard the ship. Smalls is most well-known for co-founding the Amazon Labor Union. The Handala, which carried food, baby formula, diapers and medicine, was attempting to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza, as Palestinians there continue to starve in what UN-backed hunger experts have called a 'worst-case scenario of famine' that is currently unfolding. 'The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that upon arrival in Israeli custody, US human rights defender Chris Smalls was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals. They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back,' the Freedom Flotilla Coalition wrote in a statement posted on Instagram on Tuesday morning. 'When his lawyer met with him, Chris was surrounded by six members of Israel's special police unit. This level of force was not used against other abducted activists. We condemn this violence against Chris and demand accountability for the assault and discriminatory treatment he faced.' Smalls, the only Black person aboard the boat, was one of 21 members of the group who were detained. Others included 19 civilians, including parliamentarians, medics and engineers, and two journalists. Jacob Berger, a Jewish American actor who shared on Instagram that Smalls was in 'great spirits' after his detainment – everyone else who was detained, he said, should be released on Tuesday or Wednesday. The interception of the Handala came as over 30 Israeli public figures called for 'crippling sanctions' over Israeli's starvation of Gaza. Donald Trump said he wanted 'to make sure [Gazans] get the food, every ounce of food' during a recent meeting with UK prime minister Keir Starmer. The Handala was not the first effort by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to deliver aid to Gaza. Previous attempts, including one in June in which Greta Thunberg was arrested, were also intercepted by Israel. In 2010, Israeli commandos killed 10 activists setting sail for Gaza on the Mavi Marmara. 'We are calling on others around the world, definitely our countries, to live up to their obligation of enforcing international law, of protecting human rights, but also other institutions that are founded to do the same,' said Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian American attorney and Handala member, in an appearance on Monday on Democracy Now. 'We should not be waiting for Israel to give permission for food or other humanitarian aid to enter … we need to be breaking, challenging and breaking the blockade.' While they were onboard the flotilla, Araf said that the US government did not make contact with the seven American members of the crew, though France, Spain and Italy contacted their citizens to offer consular services after their detainment. It is not yet clear if Smalls or any other American citizens have been contacted since their detainment. They were 'legitimizing Israeli piracy on the high seas. And that is unacceptable to us,' she said, referring to countries that offered services following the illegal onboarding in international waters. 'And that is the kind of impunity that our governments, all governments, really, have been allowing Israel to just violate international law.'
UAE Moments
a day ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Freedom Flotilla: US Activist Chris Smalls Assaulted in Israeli Custody
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has reported that prominent US labor activist Chris Smalls was physically assaulted while in Israeli custody after being detained during a humanitarian mission to Gaza. Smalls, the former president of the Amazon Labor Union, was among 21 international activists and journalists aboard the ship Handala when it was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. According to a statement released by the FFC, Smalls was violently attacked by seven uniformed individuals while in detention. 'They choked him and kicked him in the legs, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back,' the coalition said in a social media post. The incident reportedly occurred before his lawyer was granted access to meet with him. During that meeting, Smalls was surrounded by six members of Israel's special police unit, a show of force that the FFC claims was not used against other detained activists. The organization strongly condemned what it called the ' discriminatory treatment ' of Smalls, demanding transparency and accountability for the assault. Smalls' presence on the Handala was part of the Freedom Flotilla, a campaign involving civil society members from around the world who aim to break the blockade on Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid and drawing global attention to the crisis in the Palestinian territory. Handala followed the Madleen mission, which also ended in the deportation and arrest deportation of the volunteers, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The FFC emphasized that all participants on board were engaged in a peaceful mission and had committed to nonviolent principles. The group's claims raise serious concerns about the treatment of detainees by Israeli authorities, particularly in cases involving high-profile international figures. As international pressure mounts, human rights organizations are now calling for a thorough investigation into the reported assault and broader scrutiny of Israel's handling of peaceful protest actions related to Gaza. The incident has drawn widespread outrage, with supporters of Smalls and the Freedom Flotilla demanding his immediate release and a public inquiry into the use of force against nonviolent activists. This article was previously published on qatarmoments. To see the original article, click here
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Gaza Siege Committee Chief reveals Handala Ship Incident
Shafaq News – Gaza The Head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, Zaher Birawi, on Tuesday blamed Arab and Islamic countries for their silence over the Israeli seizure of the Handala ship and accused Western governments of enabling Israeli actions. In an exclusive statement to Shafaq News, Birawi disclosed that Israeli forces had detained the ship and its 21 passengers—comprising international activists, politicians, human rights advocates, doctors, technical crew, and officials from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. He denounced the raid as 'an act of piracy in the high seas and international waters,' insisting that 'the occupying state has no right to carry out such action, and we hold it fully responsible for the safety of all activists.' Drawing from previous incidents, Birawi explained that those detained are undergoing initial arrest procedures and will likely be brought before an Israeli court on charges of 'attempting to enter the occupying state without a permit or prior approval.' The court, he noted, typically pressures detainees to sign a pledge not to repeat the attempt. 'They will not sign these Israeli documents,' he asserted, adding that courts usually try to persuade them, and if they refuse, issue deportation orders. 'These activists are not attempting to enter Israel,' he clarified. 'They are trying to break the blockade imposed on Palestinians,' which he described as 'illegal and immoral, and not within the rights of the occupying state.' He noted that several activists, due to political considerations and in coordination with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, signed the documents over the past two days to leave custody and share their accounts with the media. The remaining detainees are still being held at Ashdod Port and are expected to be released within the next two days. Birawi underscored that the core of the mission lies in the message of defiance and resolve these activists embody—individuals who, he said, represent the 'free people of the world' and refuse to remain silent in the face of what he described as Israeli crimes. He confirmed that efforts to break the blockade would continue. He pointed out that governments, including those in the Arab and Islamic world, possess the means to pressure Israel but fail to use them effectively. 'We hold these governments accountable and clear our conscience before the world and history,' he stated, 'by doing all we can to end the war on our people in Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to those being starved as a method of pressure.' Birawi further accused Western governments of active complicity in 'the crimes committed by the occupying state against our people in Gaza,' and in actions against blockade-breaking vessels and international activists. He questioned France's silence despite the presence of French nationals aboard the ship, including a member of the French National Assembly and a representative in the European Parliament. 'Legally, Israel has no right to assault civilians in international waters,' he emphasized, noting that the Handala was intercepted more than 50 nautical miles from Gaza's coast—clearly within international waters. He concluded that the position of Western governments toward their citizens comes as no surprise, 'because—unfortunately—they are already actively supporting Israel, whether through arms deals, silence over its crimes, or political cover in international forums.' Handala ship had been en route to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the enclave before it was intercepted by Israeli forces last Saturday.
