The Israeli occupation has just boarded the vessel
The Handala has been live on YouTube and Instagram to update us on the situation. I have transcribed two parts of the livestream bellow (this was before the occupation boarded the vessel).
First transcript begins with a message from the IDF to the Handala. As this was broadcasted through the radio, I was unable to understand the full message, but here you go, transcription of the IDF transmission plus the response from the activists on board:
“… If you do not change your course, the IDF will be forced to respond and take measures. In accordance to international law (…) You will be held accountable for the consequences of your actions and you may be subject to (…)”
“Israeli navi, this is the civilian vessel Handala. Let me give you a lesson in international law. Any blockade that deliberately starves a civilian population is a violation of international law. It is not only that, it is a warcrime. You have no legal authority to enforce an unlawful blockade and as such, you have no authority to use force — to enforce — an unlawful blockade. Therefore we demand that you stand down. You are responsible for the wellbeing of every civilian on board this vessel. As an occupying power in Gaza, you are responsible for the health and wellbeing of the civilian population there. Not only have you disregarded that obligation, but you are actively exterminating the people. You have engineered a famine. You are deliberately starving civilians and children before the eyes of the world. our vessel does not constitute any threat to you. We carry only humanitarian aid. And therefore you have no authority to intercept or otherwise attack our vessel. We demand again that you stand down.”
Second transcript, a few minutes later: the activists aboard the Handala trying to contact the Israeli occupation with the following message (no response came):
“Israeli navi, again, this is Handala. Again, we are a civilian vessel and we are sailing lawfully in international waters where you have no jurisdiction. We are sailing from international waters to Palestinian territorial waters where you have no lawful jurisdiction. Your claim to enforce a maritime blockade is rejected. You have no authority to enforce a blockade that is deliberately starving civilians. Any blockade that starves civilians or has a disproportianal harmful effect on a civilian population is illegal and therefore you have no authority to enforce an illegal blockade and as such you are not permitted to use any kind of force to enforce an illegal blockade. We demand that you stand down. Do not attack this civilian vessel that is carrying only humanitarian aid. Why are you afraid of baby formula and teddy bears that are destined for the children of Gaza? You spew your propaganda about Hamas but this vessel carries food and baby formula for children that your government is deliberately starving. Your blockade is deliberately starving children to death. You have no authority to enforce an illegal blockade. This is a warcrime. You are responsible for the health, wellbeing and safety of all civilians aboard this vessel and any attack on us is a violation of international law which you will be held accountable by the international community. Again, we are a civilian vessel, constitute no threat to you. Do not attack this vessel, do not board our vessel, do not obstruct our path to Gaza. Handala out.”
I have screenrecorded parts of the livestream to make these transcripts, Tumblr will only let me post one video at a time and it takes a while for videos to come online here. Time the crew of the Handala does not have.
All eyes on deck. All eyes on Palestine.
Talk about the Handala, talk about Freedom Floatila. Contact your government and demand the release of the hostages kidnapped in international waters.
