The Don Bosco 2000 Association expresses deep concern and firm condemnation for what happened in the past few hours in the Mediterranean, where the Madleen ship of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which set sail from Catania with humanitarian aid on board for the population of Gaza and 12 unarmed activists, was intercepted and forcibly boarded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

This is an unacceptable gesture, which represents a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law, as well as an attack on solidarity between peoples, the right to humanitarian assistance and freedom of conscience and expression. Striking a peacekeeping mission, with civil workers and activists on board, means striking at the very hope of building bridges between nations, especially at a time when the wounds of war are ever deeper.

We strongly condemn the use of drones, irritants and the use of military force to prevent the arrival of life-saving aid to a population exhausted by months of bombing, siege and deprivation. We express our full solidarity with all activists on board, including activist Greta Thunberg, and demand that they be immediately released and treated with respect and dignity.

“Theirs is a peace mission, they have no weapons on board, but food and aid for a population that has been deprived of everything for months. Their mission is a signal of protest against the siege imposed by Israel, not an attack on it. On board there are flour, rice, kits to make drinking water, powdered milk, diapers, menstrual pads, crutches, baby prostheses and other medical supplies. A help that does not solve the situation, but which aimed to give support” underlines Agostino Sella.

Security is not built through repression, but through dialogue, cooperation and the protection of universal human rights.

“In our daily commitment to peace, hospitality and social justice, we reaffirm that every people has the right to life, liberty and dignity. We call on the international community and the United Nations to urgently intervene to condemn the episode, protect activists and ensure safe humanitarian corridors to Gaza. Solidarity is not a crime, but a moral duty,” concludes Agostino Sella, president of Don Bosco 2000.

The Press Office