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Zack Polanski urges UK to protect Gaza flotilla, as other countries risk war to resist Israeli impunity

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has written an urgent letter to Keir Starmer’s government asking for immediate action to ensure Israel doesn’t injure British nationals and others in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). This comes after yet another Israeli attack on the humanitarian volunteers in Greek waters.

Zack Polanski: on the right side of history again

Zack Polanski has previously stressed that he’s “a Jewish person who criticises the Israeli government’s actions *because* of my Judaism not in spite of it”. And on 24 September, he reminded the UK prime minister and foreign secretary that the aid mission to Gaza:

is made up of 52 boats, carrying humanitarian supplies and peace activists determined to support civilians facing unimaginable suffering.

Israel’s genocidal government has predictably tried to smear the peaceful flotilla members as ‘Hamas’. And as Polanski noted:

We know from past experience that when Israel smears peace activists with unfounded claims of links to Hamas, it is often a precursor to violent attacks.

Considering Israel’s previous attacks on humanitarian flotillas this year, he called for Britain to ensure Israel treats GSF participants “safely and in line with international law”. He added:

The Israeli Government’s ongoing assault on Gaza is a genocide, and those who try to break the siege to deliver aid must not be targeted… I urge you to act immediately to secure cast-iron assurances from Israel that no harm will come to those on board, 13 of whom are British nationals.

Israel’s impunity must not continue

International courts recognise that Israel’s occupation of Palestine is illegal. Human rights organisations have long called the apartheid state’s brutal blockade of Gaza illegal. The UN has just concluded that Israel clearly wants permanent control of Gaza. And there is overwhelming consensus in the world that the war-criminal government has been committing genocide in Gaza.

The illegality of Israel’s attacks on flotilla humanitarians, meanwhile, is also clear. As Irish comedian and GSF participant Tadhg Hickey made clear:

we’re off the coast of fucking Greece. Israel doesn’t own the oceans.

With escalating Israeli threats as the flotilla continues to advance towards Gaza, NATO members Spain and Italy have both now sent navy vessels to accompany the humanitarian ships. This followed a massive general strike in Italy in solidarity with Gaza, which put significant pressure on the Italian government:

Genocide-apologists have called for Israel to consider any entrance into Palestinian waters as an act of war:

UN expert Francesca Albanese called for other European nations to join the protection of the flotilla and to help “break the blockade” once and for all:

As she rightly said, if opposing genocide isn’t the moment for people and countries to take a firm stand for humanity, what the hell is? This is why Zack Polanski’s stance is so important.

Featured image via the Canary

By Ed Sykes

This post was originally published on Canary.