The operation to transfer the participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla is underway, after it was intercepted by Israeli forces in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The approximately 175 participants disembarked earlier today at Atherinolakkos in Lassithi and procedures are underway to return them to their countries of origin, in coordination with consular authorities. These are men and women of various nationalities, including Greeks.
‘Besides, on Thursday evening, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Greek authorities “are in consultation with the Israeli authorities on the issue of safe disembarkation in Greece” and added that a Foreign Ministry team is going to the point of arrival to coordinate the actions of all relevant Greek authorities and cooperate with the foreign consular authorities, which are being duly informed of their own actions.
“On the occasion of the Israeli operation on vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Crete, we call for restraint and universal respect for international law, including international law of the sea and international humanitarian law,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Greece, as a factor of stability in the region, in accordance with international law and for humanitarian reasons, asked Israel to withdraw its vessels from the region and offered its good offices by undertaking to receive the passengers on board on its territory and to ensure their safe return to their countries,” it added.
