KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed strong condemnation of the crimes of aggression, violence and humiliation committed by Israeli occupation forces against activists of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla aid convoy, under the supervision of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The general secretariat said the attack represents a crime of organised terrorism added to the record of repeated offences by Israeli occupation forces, which it accused of systematically targeting institutions, convoys and humanitarian aid workers in the field.
“The OIC also held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the lives and safety of the participants in this humanitarian flotilla,” it said in a statement yesterday.
The OIC also reiterated that the continuation of the illegal Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip amounts to a war crime and collective punishment that requires accountability under international criminal law.
It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities in ensuring the implementation of the second phase of the peace plan in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2803, the opening of all crossings, protection of humanitarian workers and the adequate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
A video shared by Ben-Gvir, leader of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), a key coalition partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, early Wednesday showed activists being humiliated upon arrival at Ashdod port.
Israel’s Transportation Minister Miri Regev also uploaded a video in which she described the activists as “terror supporters” and “drugged with alcohol.”
According to organisers, Israeli forces intercepted a total of 50 vessels carrying 428 people from 44 countries, including 78 Turkish citizens, in international waters on Monday.
The flotilla departed last Thursday from the Turkish district of Marmaris in a renewed attempt to break the blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007.
