The Global Sumud Flotilla organisers have declared a state of emergency on board, as they prepare for the expected Israeli interception of their mission to break the blockade of Gaza, media reported on Wednesday.
In a voice message from his vessel, Global Sumud Flotilla steering committee member Thiago Avila said: “We are arriving at a decisive moment of our mission,” Avila said. “Right now, we are moving closer to what seems to be their [Israel’s] military blockade.”
“There is a huge concentration of vessels, and it matches the stated plans from the Israeli foreign ministry and the media consensus about what would happen tonight, and their stated plan of intercepting illegally our mission to break the siege and to create a humanitarian corridor,” Avila added, stressing that the flotilla members should remain non-violent even if attacked.
“They are approximately four miles away from at least 12 suspected Israeli vessels. It is unclear how fast the approaching vessels are travelling, or whether they are remaining stationary as a barrier to stop the flotilla,” said Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Hayat Yamani. –Agencies
