Brazil’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday morning (9th) after Israel intercepted the Madleen humanitarian aid ship heading to Gaza on Sunday (8th) and detained 12 activists, including Brazilian Thiago Ávila.
“Recalling the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters, Brazil urges the Israeli government to release the detained crew members,” the statement highlights.
The Brazilian note also reinforces “the need for Israel to immediately remove all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Palestinian territory, in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power.”
The vessel, whose goal was to establish an access channel for transporting food and medicines to the Gaza Strip, belongs to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition movement, which carries out international humanitarian actions and promotes a campaign to end Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza.
Born in the Federal District, environmentalist Thiago Ávila is the coordinator of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. In addition to the Brazilian, the humanitarian aid vessel carried Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and ten other activists.
The interception occurred shortly after Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that he had instructed the Army not to allow the vessel to reach Gaza. In the statement, he also announced that the crew would be escorted and then deported.
According to the Itamaraty statement, the embassies in the region are on alert to provide consular assistance if necessary, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and international law.
Fonte: Agência Brasil