KUALA LUMPUR - The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed utter condemnation for the crimes of aggression, violence, and humiliation committed by the Israeli occupation forces against activists of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla aid flotilla, under the supervision of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The General Secretariat affirmed that this heinous attack represents a crime of organised terrorism added to the record of repeated crimes committed by the Israeli occupation by systematically targeting institutions, convoys and humanitarian aid workers in the field.
"The OIC also held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the lives and safety of the participants in this humanitarian flotilla,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.
The OIC also reiterated that the continuation of the illegal Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip amounts to a war crime and collective punishment that calls for accountability under international criminal law.
The OIC also called on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards ensuring the implementation of the second phase of the peace plan in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2803, the opening of all crossings, protection of humanitarian workers, and the adequate and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
A video shared by Ben-Gvir, leader of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), a key coalition partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, early Wednesday shows the activists being humiliated upon arrival at the Ashdod port.
Israel’s Transportation Minister Miri Regev uploaded another video in which she describes the activists as "terror supporters” and "drugged with alcohol."
According to the organisers, Israeli forces attacked a total of 50 vessels carrying 428 people from 44 countries, including 78 Turkish citizens, in international waters on Monday.
The flotilla departed on Thursday from the Turkish district of Marmaris in a new attempt to break the illegal Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007. - BERNAMA