Detention of aid activists part of Israel’s ‘strategy to starve Palestinians,’ say European lawmakers

The European Parliament’s Left group today strongly condemned Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound aid ship in international waters and the detention of the activists on board, calling it a “blatant violation of international law.” “Illegal detention of 12 humanitarian workers and peaceful activists, including The Left MEP Rima Hassan, [is] part of Israel’s wider strategy to starve Palestinians and hide it from the world,” The Left group said in a statement. Early today, British-flagged ship the Madleen, carrying aid, including food and baby formula, was intercepted and boarded by Israeli occupation forces in international waters before reaching Gaza. It was later towed to an Israeli port. Expressing its “strongest condemnation” following the interception, the group said the vessel was only carrying humanitarian aid […]