LONDON CLASHES OVER GAZA AID FLOTILLA DETENTION
London police clashed with protesters on Thursday as part of a global demonstration against Israel’s detention of a flotilla of boats attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza. Violent confrontations broke out on the streets of the UK capital as demonstrators accused the United Kingdom of not doing enough to challenge Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory. Protests turned violent as activists attempted to march on Downing Street, the residence of the Prime Minister, leading to a number of arrests.
Israel arrested around 50 boats, including one carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, as they attempted to breach its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The flotilla, which set sail from Spain a month ago, carried over 400 activists from 44 countries, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, seeking to deliver aid to the people of Gaza. Israel dismissed the initiative as a provocation in violation of its naval blockade, calling it unlawful.
Protesters gathered in London on Thursday to push for the release of the detained activists, with many calling for the UK to take stronger action against Israel. A protester told Ruptly that the UK must protect the civilians who were trying to bring baby formula to dying babies in Gaza. The rally turned violent when demonstrators attempted to march on Downing Street, prompting a violent confrontation with police forces. Footage showed officers pushing demonstrators into police vans, and authorities later said 40 people were arrested as part of the incident.
Protesters from around the world have joined the demonstrations, with demonstrations against the flotilla seizure held in Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Malaysia, France, and Belgium. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure as a violent violation of international law, arguing that Israeli forces have no control over Gaza’s waters. Israeli officials stated that the activists were safe and would be transferred to Israel before being deported to Europe. This has further inflamed tensions between Israel and its critics, with the UK now under pressure to take a stronger public stance regarding the situation.