El Ciudadano
Original article: Liberan a chilenos secuestrado por Israel tras ataque contra flotilla humanitaria rumbo a Gaza
Chilean Activists Released After Israeli Interception of Humanitarian Flotilla Bound for Gaza
Amidst international pressure, the 428 activists captured by Israel following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in international waters have been released and are being transported on flights to Istanbul. Among them are four Chilean citizens who were participating in the humanitarian mission destined for Gaza.
It is important to remember that the flotilla had resumed its course from the Turkish port of Marmaris alongside 54 boats with the goal of delivering food, medical supplies, and basic aid to the Palestinian population of the enclave, which is under Israeli blockade.
However, on Monday, they reported that their vessels once again fell victim to an interception by Israeli warships in international waters, approximately 250 nautical miles off the Gaza coast. During this aggression, the Zionist regime detained 428 civilians from 40 countries, including four Chileans: Víctor Chanfreau, Carolina Eltit, Claudio Caiozzi, and Ignacio Ladrón de Guevara. The latter was traveling on a Spanish passport and was part of the Spanish delegation.
The flotilla condemned the degrading treatment received by the activists at the hands of Israeli military forces, particularly after the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, posted a video on social media showing civilians being beaten by soldiers.
He even wrote, “Welcome to Israel”, describing the detainees as “terrorism sympathizers”.
Activists Released After International Pressure
The release of the activists who were transported on flights to Turkey occurred due to pressure exerted on Israel by organizations, social movements, and governments.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the families of the Chilean GSF crew members, who were unaware of their exact whereabouts, that the Turkish government arranged charter flights to ensure their arrival in Istanbul from Ramon Airport, near Eilat.
In a statement, the Chilean Foreign Ministry indicated that the Chilean Consulate in Tel Aviv has already contacted Víctor Chanfreau, Carolina Eltit, Claudio Caiozzi, and Ignacio Ladrón de Guevara, «who were deported on flights to Istanbul, along with the other detained people.»
Upon arriving in Istanbul, the four Chileans «will be welcomed by the Chilean consul in Ankara, who will provide any necessary assistance,» they stated.
However, there is currently no official information on the health status of the compatriots following their abduction.
Critics Denounce “Weak, Delayed, and Insufficient” Response to Israeli Kidnapping of Chileans
It is worth noting that the Palestinian Community of Chile described the Government of José Antonio Kast’s reaction as “weak, delayed, and insufficient”, regarding the abduction of the Chileans involved in the humanitarian mission.
In a public statement, the organization condemned with “the utmost firmness” what it considers a “grave violation of rights” and a “direct affront to the sovereignty and dignity of Chile”, lamenting that there had been no clear, public, and categorical condemnation issued from La Moneda, characterizing this inaction as “unacceptable silence.”
They further argued that the state cannot abandon its most basic duty: to protect its citizens, especially when they are imprisoned by a foreign power outside its jurisdiction.
For the organization, the administration of Kast has a non-negotiable duty to “act with the full diplomatic strength of the state,” as failing to do so sends a signal of abandonment to its own citizens and permissiveness toward Israel.
Despite the interception of the boats, members of the Global Sumud Flotilla made it clear that they will not cease their commitment to Gaza and the Palestinian people. “We will not stop until the siege is broken, Palestinian prisoners are freed, and Palestinian liberation becomes a reality,” they asserted.
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