Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
ISRAEL’s assault on the Flotilla of Resilience has been criticised by Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe, Dr Tamer Almassri, who described it as a brutal act of piracy and a blatant violation of international law.
The humanitarian flotilla, which was sailing peacefully towards Gaza to deliver aid and challenge the blockade imposed on over two million Palestinians, was intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces late last week.
In a statement yesterday, Ambassador Almassri said the attack exposed Israel’s continued defiance of international norms and its disregard for human rights.
“This assault is another manifestation of Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people and all those who stand in solidarity with them,” he said.
Ambassador Almassri also condemned the inhumane treatment of detained activists, including Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg, who was reportedly subjected to degrading conditions and physical abuse.
“Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces dragged her by the hair, forced her to kiss the Israeli flag, and humiliated her along with other activists,” he said.
The Ambassador accused Israel of hypocrisy after National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir boasted that the activists were handled as “terror supporters”, contradicting claims by the Israeli Foreign Ministry that they were treated respectfully.
Ambassador Almassri urged the United Nations and the international community to condemn the attack, hold Israel accountable, and push for an end to the Gaza blockade.
“The world must not remain indifferent,” he said.
“This is not only a crime against Palestinians — it is a crime against conscience and humanity itself.”
The incident has reignited global criticism of Israel’s blockade of Gaza and its treatment of humanitarian missions, with rights groups calling for independent investigations into the latest assault.
