Greek government says it could not intervene in Israeli flotilla raid

Greek Communist Party: ‘Was the Greek government aware and in agreement?’

In a statement, the Greek Communist Party (KKE) demanded explanations from the Greek government over the attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which took place in international waters, 35 nautical miles from Crete and 650 nautical miles, or around 1,200km, from Gaza.

The KKE noted that the attack occurred in an area under Greek responsibility for search and rescue, while expressing concern over the government’s stance and accusing it of making ‘very selective’ invocations of ‘freedom of navigation’, which, it said, ‘only concern the profits of Greek shipowners and not the crimes of its strategic allies’.

The KKE statement in full:

‘The KKE condemns the new pirate attack by the terrorist state of Israel against the international solidarity flotilla for Gaza, which put the lives of hundreds of people in great danger.

‘The Greek government must provide concrete answers, as the Israeli strike occurred off Crete, in international waters and in an area under Greek responsibility for search and rescue. Was it aware of and in agreement with its murderous Israeli allies? What did it do to protect human lives in the face of such a dangerous act, as, according to allegations, the Israelis deliberately left hundreds of people in damaged boats in the open sea?

‘In any case, it is clear that the government’s constant invocations of “freedom of navigation” are very selective, as they only concern the profits of Greek shipowners and not the crimes of its strategic allies, who continue to shed blood on the peoples of Palestine and Lebanon and at the same time have the “freedom” to act as the “sheriffs” of the entire eastern Mediterranean.

‘Now, the solidarity of the Greek people and their organised movement towards every people who become victims of imperialist aggression must be strengthened, along with the demand to end the strategic alliance with Israel, recognise an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, close the US-NATO bases and bring home Greek troops stationed outside the country’s borders.’

New Left: ‘Attempt to silence international solidarity’

The New Left said in a statement: ‘It is clear that once again an attempt is being made to silence international solidarity and humanitarian action, so that humanitarian aid does not reach Gaza, where Israel continues to commit genocide. The Greek government must ensure the unhindered passage of the flotilla.’

The party demanded that the government ‘do what is necessary to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the safety of the mission’, adding that, even at this late stage, Greece must stop ‘being an accomplice of the terrorist state of Israel and the war criminal Netanyahu’.

The New Left statement in full:

‘Late on Wednesday night (29 April), the boats of the international solidarity flotilla sailing towards Gaza were harassed by Israeli forces.

‘The flotilla was intercepted in international waters, off the coast of Crete, within the Greek search and rescue zone.

‘The chair of the New Left parliamentary group, Petti Perka, immediately contacted all relevant ministers to request detailed information. She demanded that the government ensure that the flotilla passes through the Greek search and rescue zone, with our country respecting its obligations under the law of the sea.

‘It is clear that once again an attempt is being made to silence international solidarity and humanitarian action, so that humanitarian aid does not reach Gaza, where Israel continues to commit genocide.

‘The Greek government must ensure the unhindered passage of the flotilla.

‘As New Left, we demand that the government do what is necessary to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the safety of the mission.

‘At least now Greece should stop being an accomplice of the terrorist state of Israel and the war criminal Netanyahu.’

PASOK: ‘What actions does the Greek government intend to take?’

PASOK also addressed questions to the Greek government over the actions of Israeli vessels against the Global Sumud Flotilla, through a statement by the head of the party’s foreign affairs committee and state MP Dimitris Mantzos.

‘The serious incidents west of Crete and south of the Peloponnese, with the aggressive actions of Israeli vessels against the international flotilla sending humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, who are suffering from the inhumane blockade of Gaza, constitute a new serious violation of international law of the sea and freedom of navigation,’ he stressed.

He added that ‘the Greek government is called upon to take a clear position and answer the serious outstanding questions: At what geographical point did the actions of the Israeli vessels take place? Was it within the area of competence of the Greek authorities for search and rescue, in accordance with international law? Was the Greek government aware of the action of the Israeli vessels? What was the role and reaction of the Greek authorities in the field? What actions does the Greek government intend to take against this illegal action?’

Marinakis: Israeli ships moved outside Greek territorial waters

According to government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, the Israeli ships moved outside Greek territorial waters and there had been no prior consultation with the Greek authorities. Marinakis said the Greek authorities had no right to intervene except in the event of a search and rescue operation, adding that, following communication between the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli ships were in the process of leaving the area and returning to their base.

Specifically, he stated:

‘The Israeli warships moved into international waters north-west of Crete, outside Greek territorial waters. There had been no prior consultation with the Greek authorities. The Greek authorities have no right to intervene in international waters, except in the event of a search and rescue operation. In the event of a search and rescue operation being needed, Greek ships are on full alert. Following relevant communication between the Greek and Israeli foreign ministries, the Israeli ships are already in the process of leaving the area and returning to their base.’

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