Photo: CFP

 
Mass protests have broken out across Europe after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in international waters, just a few hundred nautical miles from the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military intercepted and boarded several Gaza-bound aid ships on Wednesday evening local time, according to organizers of the voyage.

"Multiple vessels of Global Sumud Flotilla - notably Alma, Sirius, Adara - were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli Occupation Forces in international waters," GSF said in a statement.

The GSF is a global civilian initiative and the largest mission yet to challenge Israel's naval blockade on Gaza. The flotilla carries aid and about 500 prominent activists, including politicians, academics, journalists, doctors and campaigners from over 40 countries. 

According to European media outlets, protests have flared up in several Italian cities. In Naples, protestors stormed the central train station and occupied its tracks. Rome's Termini and Turin's Porta Nuova were similarly disrupted, with crowds chanting for Gaza. Some Italian trade unions have called a nationwide general strike on Friday.

In Barcelona, several hundred people gathered outside the Israeli consulate to denounce the interception and express solidarity with Gaza. Similar demonstrations were reported in Berlin and Brussels. Hundreds of people are also expected to hold a protest in London on Thursday.

European countries on Wednesday urged Israel to ensure the safety of their citizens on Gaza-bound aid ships. Portuguese authorities confirmed that three citizens, including a member of Parliament, have been detained. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto voiced condemnation "in the strongest manner" as there were also Italian citizens on board. France and Spain also expressed concern, urging Israel to ensure the safety of their citizens, guarantee their right to consular protection and allow their prompt return.

He Zhigao, a research fellow with the Institute of European Studies from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday that the European governments are bearing the dilemma regarding their stance on the Palestine issue.

"For a long time, Europe has adopted a tolerant position on Israel's actions in Gaza. But now they have to confront Israel for the safety of their citizens. How Europe copes with the Palestine issue in the future matters not only stability on the continent, but also the role of Europe on the global stage," He said.

David Adler, co-general coordinator of the Progressive International who is part of the delegation on the flotilla, wrote in an X post on Wednesday, "several Israeli naval ships menaced our convoy. They attacked our vessels, intimidated our crew, and disabled our communications... We are preparing ourselves for such an imminent attack. We know the procedures. We know the protocols. When they board our boats, we will not resist. We are ready." 

In a recent interview with the Global Times, Adler said that the mission of the voyage is to establish a permanent corridor at sea for humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza. 

"We do not aim to arrive to Gaza and drop off our aid, go home and receive applause for our courage. We aim to hold that corridor open so that states, which are the only entities in today's world, with the power, with the resource and with the legitimacy, will actually deliver with aid at a scale that Gaza requires, will resume their good faith obligations and will join us at sea," Adler said. 

Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Fu Cong on Wednesday called for an end to the humanitarian tragedy at the UN General Assembly Debate in Gaza. He said China welcomes and supports all efforts to ease tensions, urging the international community to stay united and act urgently to restore peace.