France demands stronger EU measures against Israel

France on May 26 called for tougher European Union sanctions against Isreal following violence against members of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, with a senior minister stressing the need for action within the framework of international law.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said it is essential to go further with sanctions in the framework of the European Union, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Talking to the National Assembly, he noted that any measures should remain fully consistent with international law.

“The fact that some do not respect it does not mean that we, in turn, should fail to respect it,” he stressed.

The remarks came after the Israeli military intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters last Monday.

Live broadcasts from the convoy showed Israeli naval forces boarding and taking control of the vessels.

Calls for sanctions intensified after footage circulated online showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a key ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, walking among detained activists who appeared kneeling with their hands bound behind their backs.

Ben-Gvir was seen waving an Israeli flag and apparently mocking detainees.

The flotilla, made up of more than 50 boats, departed last Thursday from the Turkish coastal district of Marmaris in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.

Organisers said the mission involved 426 participants, including 96 Turkish activists and individuals from 39 other countries, among them France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Italy, and Australia.

The latest incident follows another reported Israeli interception of a Gaza-bound aid mission on April 29 near the Greek island of Crete.

Organisers alleged that Israeli forces detained 177 activists in international waters and mistreated them roughly 600 nautical miles from Gaza, outside Greek territorial waters.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov