The Polish activist started a hunger strike in custody in Israel

The president of the Nomada Nina Ptak Association, detained on board the Sumud Flotilla ship flowing into the Gaza Strip, began a hunger strike in Israeli custody – the organizers of the humanitarian mission informed. Earlier, the bird and other Polish citizens refused voluntary deportation.

Israel stopped from Wednesday night to Thursday over 470 participants and 41 boats of global Sumud (GSF) flotilla, which was heading towards the Gaza Strip. On Friday, GSF announced the seizure of the last, 42nd ship. Among the detainees are four Polish participants: MP KO Franciszek Sterczewski, president of the Socio-Cultural Association of Polish Palestinians Omar Faris, president of the Nina Ptak Nina Association and the British journalist of Polish origin Ewa Jasiewicz.

The Foreign Minister Maciej Wewiór spokesman informed on Friday in a statement that the Consul of the Republic of Poland in Israel met with three detained Polish citizens. As he wrote, they were offered the opportunity to take advantage of the accelerated procedure to leave Israel and return to Poland, but everyone refused to sign a declaration of voluntary deportation. “This means that they will now be waiting for a trial before Israel's court,” we read in a statement of the Foreign Minister.

On Saturday, the organizers of the Global Movement expedition to Gaza Poland reported in a message sent to PAP that the bird began a hunger strike in custody as part of the protest against “Izrael's illegal actions and in Solidarity with imprisoned and tortured Palestinians.” They also stated that detainees are currently in the KTZI'ot prison in the Nedev desert, which – as it was written – “is known for the use of torture and sexual violence against the arrested.”

The deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski said on Friday PAP that if the detained persons agree voluntarily deported, they would be able to leave the country. – We are already dealing with logistics issues. However, if they do not agree to deport voluntarily, after 72 hours they will stand in court and then the case is more difficult – noted Bartoszewski.

He also emphasized that the Crisis Management Center operates in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the situation is under control and full consular help is ready. – The state fulfills its duties – assured the deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an earlier announcement assured that Polish citizens from the Flotilla detained by the Israeli authorities were safe, and the Consul of the Republic of Poland would help them “within the law and the reality of hostilities”. The ministry also appealed to refrain from traveling to places covered by armed conflict.

Global Sumud Flotilla is an international initiative in which representatives of over 40 countries participate. Activists estimated that they would arrive on Thursday morning. The Israeli authorities had already announced that they would not allow the flotilla to get closer to Gaza.

The takeover of the flotilla caused a wave of demonstration in European cities, including in Rome, Naples, Turin, Barcelona, ​​Paris, Dublin, Geneva, Berlin, Hague, Istanbul and Athens. Many were also organized in Buenos Aires, Mexico and Karachi. Italian trade unions convened a general strike for Friday. On Thursday, the demonstration also took place in Warsaw. There were incidents: the glass was broken in the door to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the manifestation began, and the entrance was covered with red paint. The police intervened. The manifestation later underwent, among others at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister and the Sejm.

40 organizations and over 100 social activists and social workers in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and foreign minister Radosław Sikorski appealed to the release of Poles detained by Israel and the firm response of Poland to Gas genocide. (PAP)

Andr/ Par/