‘SOS: The Israeli warship that kidnapped the approximately 180 crew members of the Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Crete, an act of piracy and a flagrant violation of the law of the sea, is targeting two of them: Saif Abukesek, a Spanish citizen of Palestinian origin, and Thiago Avila, a Brazilian citizen who has distinguished himself through his repeated efforts to break the illegal, genocidal Israeli blockade of Gaza,’ Varoufakis said in a statement.

He added:

‘Unlike the other kidnapped members of the Global Sumud Flotilla crew, whom the Israeli navy disembarked in Crete, Saif and Thiago are being detained and taken to an Israeli prison. This is a double violation of international law: first, Israel illegally abducted them at sea. Second, Israel is now forcibly and illegally transferring them to one of its notorious prisons.

‘Meanwhile, the Greek government is fully complicit in Israel’s criminal tactics, effectively abandoning its search and rescue obligations and conspiring with Israel to take revenge on the brave crews of the Sumud Flotilla, who through their activist action are steadfastly defending international law as well as the decision of the International Court of Justice, which has clearly and categorically declared Israel’s ongoing naval blockade of Gaza and occupation of the Palestinian territories illegal.

‘Through their complicity and silence, the Greek government, the European Union, the mainstream media and the West in general despise, and even dishonour, their supposed, much-touted “Western values”. Let us all demand:

‘the immediate release of Saif and Thiago;

‘an end to Israel’s criminal behaviour in international waters;

‘an end to Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza;

‘the cessation of the provision of practical and moral support by the Greek government and the European Union to the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza and the “ethnic cleansing” in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.’

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