The Women’s Boat to Gaza was intercepted and illegally captured by the Israeli Navy this past Wednesday while in international waters and hours way of reaching Gaza.

The Zaytouna-Oliva started its course in Barcelona and was now less than 100 Nautical Miles North West of Gaza, according to the last update published in the WBG official website. Thirteen women were on board at the time of its capture.

After illegally seizing control of the boat, the Israeli Navy took it to the Ashdod Harbour, in the north of Gaza, and according to the Spanish Embassy in Tel Aviv, the activists are now being held in the Givon prison.

The Women’s Boat to Gaza was launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition aiming to peacefully end the illegal Israeli blockade and “highlight the vital role women play not only in the resistance movement, but in the survival of the Palestinian people as a whole”, as mentioned in the official website of the mission.

The Party of the European Left shares the necessity to raise our voices against Israel’s illegal blockade and entirely supports the initiative of these women, peacefully trying to stand for the rights of the Palestinian people and against the occupation of Palestine by the state of Israel.

We call for the immediate and safe release of these women and we urge the international community to act in order to protect these activists standing for peace, solidarity and hope.

Although it was the first boat with only women, it was not the first boat sailing to Gaza in protest to the inhumane blockade of Gaza, which lasts now for almost ten years. These attacks keep happening and the international community, and the European Union in particular, cannot remain indifferent to the oppression lived on that side of the world.

From its side, the Party of the European Left will not lower its voice to denounce the atrocities of the Israeli authorities and will keep standing for a Free Palestine.