The Maritime Union of Australia has condemned in the strongest terms the interception of the Global Sumud Peace Flotilla by the Israeli military happening right now in real time. This interception off the Palestinian coast will likely end with the arrest of Australian seafarer and MUA Queensland member Hamish Paterson, along with fellow crew members, before they can deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The flotilla of civilian boats and ships crewed by peace activists from across the globe, set sail from ports in Europe to the Middle East as a challenge against the ongoing illegal blockade of Gaza. The crews of these vessels are peaceful, unarmed humanitarian activists carrying essential medical supplies and aid. Among them are doctors, trade unionists, clergy, artists, and seafarers committed to breaking the siege through peaceful, nonviolent action.
Despite their humanitarian mission, the vessels are being boarded and seized by Israeli forces, who arrested and detained the crew, including a number of Australians alongside Mr Paterson.
“This is a disgraceful act of state piracy,” said the MUA’s Deputy National Secretary, Warren Smith. “Our member and his comrades were exercising the oldest of seafarers’ traditions by seeking to deliver aid where it is needed most. Instead, they were met with armed aggression by a military intent on silencing global solidarity with Palestine.”
“The MUA has always stood against war, occupation, and oppression. We will not be silent while our member and other peace activists are arrested for doing what our governments have so far failed to do; provide aid and issue a demand that Israel end this humanitarian catastrophe,” Smith said.
The MUA demanded the immediate release of all detained peace flotilla crew members and called on the Australian Government to act without hesitation to secure their freedom.
“Our governments cannot continue to turn a blind eye. When civilians attempting to deliver food and medicine to people subjected to an ongoing genocide are met with military force, it exposes the brutal reality of the blockade and the siege being carried out against the Palestinian people,” MUA Queensland Branch Assistant Secretary, Paul Gallagher, said.
The unlawful boarding and detainment of Australian humanitarian crews by Israeli soldiers is happening against a backdrop of ongoing exports from Australia of fighter jet components to the Israeli military. At least 68 shipments of F35 fighter jet parts have been sent via commercial passenger flights, some as recently as last month, according to multiple sources citing leaked cargo manifests from commercial airlines.
“We also continue to monitor and investigate whether arms shipments are being moved through Australian sea ports and which ones," Warren Smith said. “The MUA opposes the export of any weapons that will be used for genocidal purposes in contravention of international law," Smith added.
The Union pledged ongoing solidarity with the people of Palestine and the international movement to end the siege of Gaza.
ENDS
Media Contacts:
Warren Smith – 0400 368 945
Paul Gallagher – 0408 494 168
