EU calls on Israel to respect freedom of navigation after flotilla detained in international waters

The European Union has asked Israel to respect freedom of navigation and International Law after announcing this Thursday the early morning arrest of around 175 activists who were aboard vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters south of Greece, about a thousand kilometers from the coasts of the Gaza Strip and Israel.

“Freedom of navigation under International Law must be respected. Furthermore, we have asked and reiterate this call for Israel to respect International Law, including International Humanitarian Law and International Maritime Law,” the spokesperson for the EU External Action Service, Anouar El Anouni, said in a press conference.

He said this when asked about Israel’s action this morning intercepting the flotilla activists in international waters, about which he has not commented specifically, although he has indicated that now it should be the national authorities who are in charge of offering them consular protection.

In this sense, the spokesperson has reiterated that although the European Union shares the flotilla’s objective of providing the population with essential aid, they advise participants against doing so because “they put their safety at risk.”

However, he has reiterated the call of the community bloc, in particular to Israel, “to respect international law, including International Humanitarian Law and International Maritime Law.”