The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid and activists seeking to break the blockade of Gaza, was attacked and diverted to the Israeli port of Ashdod. Twenty-seven Greek citizens were among those on board.
In its announcement, the ministry stressed that “the 27 Greeks participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla mission, headed towards the war-torn region of Gaza, are in good health and there is no evidence that violence was used against them” – a formulation widely seen as an attempt to exonerate the Israeli army.
Citing information from the Israeli foreign ministry, the statement added: “The ships of the flotilla are safely arriving, escorted by Israeli ships, at the port of Ashdod, and procedures will follow for the registration and deportation of those on board.”
The ministry said that the Greek ambassador in Tel Aviv would be present “where the Greek citizens are”, and that “both in the previous days and today, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made representations to the Israeli side, raising the issue of the protection of the Greek citizens participating in the mission. In cooperation with the other countries whose citizens are participating, the planned actions towards Israel will be taken and consular assistance will be provided.”
Earlier, the ministry’s spokesperson Lena Zochiou underlined the government’s political position, stating:
“We have a strategic partnership with Israel which we want to maintain.”
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