Iran Condemns Israel’s Assault on Gaza-Bound Aid Ship
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham strongly denounced Tel Aviv’s recent seizure of a Swedish-flagged ship heading to Gaza Strip to break the Zionist regime’s long-time siege on the enclave.
On Monday, Israel seized the Marianne of Gothenburg, the Swedish-flagged vessel which was part of the Freedom Flotilla III carrying pro-Palestinian activists, including 16 foreign nationals, to Gaza. The people wanted to highlight Israel’s blockade on the Palestinian enclave, which they have called as “inhumane and illegal.”
Afkham referred to the continued blockade of Gaza and the disastrous situation in the coastal strip, and considered the assault on the Swedish ship as against international regulations.
She further urged international bodies and governments to show proper reaction to the move by the Zionist regime.
Afkham also highlighted the necessity for ending the inhumane sanctions and blockade imposed on Gaza, stressing the need for supporting the residents of the region.
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007, causing a serious decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
In 2010, Israeli commandos attacked the Turkish-flagged MV Mavi Marmara, which was part of an aid convoy named the Freedom Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea, killing nine Turkish citizens and injuring about 50 others. A tenth individual died after four years in a coma.
The campaign to break the siege on Gaza came as Israelis are facing huge international pressure over the atrocities they committed during the war on the coastal enclave last summer.
