Rabat — The Justice and Development Party (PJD) issued a statement today, condemning the Israeli Occupation Forces’ (IOF) illegal interception of the humanitarian ship Handala and the detention of its passengers, including Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali.
In El Bakkali’s pre-recorded message before the interception of the Handala ship, he called on the Moroccan government and human rights organizations to secure their release.
“If you are seeing this video, the Handala ship has been intercepted by Israeli Forces… and most likely, we have been abducted and are being illegally detained,” the Al Jazeera journalist said.
PJD condemned the interception of the ship and the arrest of the Moroccan journalist along with its peaceful activists, calling on Moroccan autZionisthorities to take immediate action to secure El Bakkali’s release.
“What draws attention and condemnation is that the piracy of this humanitarian and peaceful ship was carried out by the sea pirates in international waters, in clear violation of all relevant international laws,” PJD said.
PJD also condemned the total silence over similar incidents by the IOF without the international community’s intervention.
The party asserts that this encourages Israel to “continue its actions and brutality without regard for laws, charters, or international institutions, threatening and undermining international peace and security.”
The IOF intercepted the Handala ship on Saturday, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry claiming that the ship is part of “unauthorized attempts to break the blockade.” They also reported they all passengers are safe; however, this has not been verified.
Israel also claimed that similar acts “undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.” The claims come amid a starvation campaign Israel has launched against Palestinians in Gaza for months. The starvation death toll has reached at least 133 to date, including over 80 children.
Activists and rights groups are warning that the death toll is yet to rise amid a lack and absence of humanitarian aid due to the IOF’s merciless approach, contributing to its armed genocidal war and mass killings of Palestinians.
