The best news from Africa on small business
Provided by AGP
Italy Demands Israel Release Flotilla Activists
(MENAFN) Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani pressed his Israeli counterpart overnight for the immediate release of Italian nationals detained aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, the Italian Foreign Ministry disclosed Wednesday in an official statement.
Tajani conducted a series of urgent late-night contacts with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, demanding swift action for those held. "Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held several contacts overnight with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Tajani insisted that the Italian citizens involved — including a member of the Italian Parliament and a journalist — be released and allowed to depart as soon as possible," the statement said.
The ministry added that Tajani had further pressed Israel on the broader welfare of all those detained, reiterating the need to protect the safety and rights of every activist.
Disembarkation of detainees appeared to be underway at the time of the announcement. "The disembarkation of the first group of flotilla activists has begun at the port of Ashdod in Israel. A second group is expected to arrive later in the day," the statement added.
Officials from the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv have been mobilized to provide consular assistance to affected nationals, the ministry confirmed, with authorities outlining the next steps for those held. "The activists are expected to be transferred to a facility for identification procedures and then allowed to leave," the statement said.
The diplomatic push follows a major escalation at sea. The Global Sumud Flotilla announced Tuesday that Israel had seized all 50 vessels in its humanitarian convoy — detaining 428 people from 44 countries aboard, among them 78 Turkish citizens.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
