11 months ago
Swiss Protest After Restricted Visit to Detained Gaza Flotilla Activists
Activists, including some from Switzerland and Greta Thunberg, tried to send aid to Gaza by boat.
Israel stopped the boats and detained the people.
Swiss diplomats visited the detainees but were interrupted by Israeli forces.
The Swiss government is now protesting, wanting to ensure the detained Swiss citizens are safe.
Israel views this aid mission as a stunt and says it is preventing the boats from entering a combat zone.
Swiss diplomats were prevented from a full visit with detained Swiss nationals.
Nineteen Swiss nationals were aboard the intercepted aid flotilla.
The flotilla was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
Israel intercepted the flotilla and detained the activists.
Switzerland will file a diplomatic protest with Israel.
- Who
- Swiss Government, Israeli Security Forces, Activists, Greta Thunberg
- What
- Israeli forces cut short a visit by Swiss diplomats to detained activists from the Gaza aid flotilla.
- Where
- Off the coast of Gaza, Ketziot prison, Switzerland and Israel
- When
- Interception occurred on Thursday; the visit interruption and protest occurred on Friday.
- Why
- To break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid, while Israel prevented the flotilla from reaching Gaza.
Activists/Supporters
Israeli Government
Purpose of Flotilla
Activists/Supporters
To deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the blockade.
Israeli Government
To be prevented from entering a combat zone and violating the blockade.
Actions by Israel
Activists/Supporters
Detaining activists is wrong.
Israeli Government
Interception and detention were necessary.
Key facts
- Event
- Interception of Gaza Aid Flotilla
- Swiss Nationals Detained
- 19
- Location of Detention
- Ketziot prison
- Protest Action
- Swiss Diplomatic Protest to Israel
Timeline
Israel's blockade caused severe food shortages in Gaza.
Activists, aiming to deliver aid, sought to break the blockade.
They sent aid by boat, including Greta Thunberg.
Then, clashes erupted at a protest in Geneva.
Five police officers were injured; some activists were detained.
Quotes
The ministry
The Swiss foreign ministry
“Due to various incidents, the Israeli security authorities interrupted the visit, preventing the Swiss embassy representatives from talking at length with the group of Swiss nationals.”
theprint.in
The Global Sumud Flotilla
An activist group
“illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels – each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza”
theprint.in
Sources
As Israeli forces intercept Global Sumud flotilla, global protests erupt
Swiss to protest over curtailed visit to Gaza flotilla nationals detained in Israel
Israel starts deportation of Gaza flotilla activists, four Italians first to be sent back
Five police officers injured in clashes at Gaza protest in Geneva
