Israel intercepted the Flotilla in European waters and kidnapped activists who were then mostly released and mistreated in Greece, country they are now leaving behind. In spite of everything, they did not manage to break them and the struggle continues, most immediately for the liberation of comrades Thiago Avila and Saif Abukeshek, and always for a Free Palestine from the river to the sea.
By Rubén Tzanoff
It is a joy that our comrades and most of the activists are free. The confirmation came to us today at 5 pm (UTC), through a call from Cele Fierro and a message from Raul Laguna, sent from borrowed cell phones. They were both brief but reassuring and committed messages:
Cele: “Raul and I are fine! We spent two horrible days with the other kidnapped comrades, but we are well. Stay calm and let everyone know. We have to fight for Thiago and Said, who were not released!”
Raul: “I am well and so is Cele. I am at the Crete Airport; diplomatic representations will be coming soon. Tell the comrades. We have already recovered our passports and will start our return with several layovers. We will to continue fighting for a free Palestine.”
Video from a Turkish media outlet showing Cele and other activists entering the airport:
On social media we saw moving images in Crete, with sympathetic people accompanying the buses on foot to Heraklion International Airport, supporting the activists after two days of mistreatment by the authorities.
Later we will have more detailed stories and information. At this moment, what is important s that Cele, Raul and most of the activists are free, and that we can’t wait a minute to demand for the liberation of Thiago and Saif and to deepen the actions for a free Palestine from the river to the sea.
Image below: “Saif and Thiago have been taken hostage by the IOF after the liberation of the rest of the Flotilla mambers’ in Crete.”
