According to prof. Tomasz P. Kamiński from the University of Warsaw, the stopping of the flotilla by Israel in international waters is a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The expert indicates that although Israel is not a party to this convention, many countries treat its provisions as the usual law of the sea. The convention, signed in 1982, defines, among others The boundaries of territorial water on 12 nautical miles and the principles of intervention in adjacent and exclusive economic zones. In the opinion of prof. Kamiński, Israel's argument about the war situation is not grounds, because this country does not recognize the subjectivity of the International Gaza Strip.
Read also: Israel deports the participants of the flotilla. Poles among detained activists
Symbolic blockage of the lock
The GSF Flotilla, an initiative with representatives of over 40 countries, was aimed at symbolically breaking the sea gauze blockade, introduced by Israel in 2007. The organizers emphasize that the blockade is illegal and contributes to the deepening humanitarian crisis in the region. There was humanitarian aid on the decks for the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, where the war between Israel and Hamas is underway.
Among the detainees were, among others Polish MP Franciszek Sterczewski, president of the Social and Cultural Association of Polish Palestinians Omar Faris, president of the Nomada Nina Ptak Association and journalist Ewa Jasiewicz. The Polish consular service monitors the situation, and the Polish consul is in the Israeli port of Ashdod, where the participants of the flotilla are detained. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski appealed to avoid traveling to conflict zones.
Protests around the world
Israel maintains that its actions are lawful and the blockade is aimed at preventing weapons supplies for Hamas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem emphasized that all detainees are safe and are waiting for deportation. The Israeli authorities accuse the Flotilla of supporting Hamas, pointing to the organizers rejecting the proposal for unloading aid at the Israeli port and its transport to Gaza by land.
The acquisition of the flotilla caused mass protests around the world, including in Poland. In Warsaw there were incidents during a demonstration in front of the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The protesters struck the glass and poured in the entrance with red paint. In other Polish cities, such as Wrocław, Kraków or Poznań, there were peaceful demonstrations. Demonstrations also took place in numerous cities of Europe, Latin America and Asia.
The issue of the legality of the Israeli sea blockade of the Gaza Strip remains the subject of disputes. Non -governmental organizations have been organizing similar convoys for years, emphasizing that the inhabitants of Gaza suffer from food deficiencies and basic means of life. Israel refutes the allegations, indicating that it lets humanitarian aid, although according to assistance organizations, its amount is insufficient.
