The Global Sumud Flotilla says Israel has continued to use starvation of civilians as a weapon of war against Palestinians, by intercepting a boat trying to carry aid to Gaza.

The Flotilla, transporting medicine and food to Gaza, consists of more than 40 civilian boats with about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists. It is the most high-profile symbol of opposition to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

The South African representative of the Global Sumud Flotilla Sunny Morgan says, “All of the activists were kidnapped or abducted and that’s a war crime in itself. It’s a humanitarian mission carrying food, medicine (and) toys. It has nothing to do with any accusation that the Israelis might make. This was an illegal act purely driven by their need to stop humanitarian aid from reaching the starving Palestinians and Gazans. This is a war crime using food as a weapon and starvation.”

Meanwhile, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Intellectual Property Trust has praised the organisers and sailors of the Global Sumud Flotilla for shining a spotlight on the situation in Gaza.

Chairperson Dr Mamphela Ramphele says while the Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters before delivering aid, it succeeded in exposing Israel’s disregard for international law.

She has called for the safe release of the sailors, including Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela.

Ramphele has also called on South Africa’s government for moral consistency.

Flotilla | Sunny Morgan weighs in on interception by Israeli forces: