Protest in Paris calls for release of flotilla activists held by Israel

By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA)— Pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied in Paris on Wednesday to demand the release of Global Sumud Flotilla and Freedom Flotilla Coalition activists detained by Israel.

Protesters gathered at the city's iconic Place de la Republique to condemn Israel's attack on humanitarian flotillas in international waters and call for the release of all detained activists.

They were carrying large banners that read "Macron: Stop the genocide" and "Free Palestine."

French activists who joined the flotilla told the crowd that they had been mistreated by Israeli authorities and called attention to the plight of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

The demonstration concluded with the participants releasing paper lanterns into the sky.

The Israeli navy attacked ships of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Thousand Madleens to Gaza early Wednesday in international waters, roughly 120 nautical miles (138 miles) from the enclave.

The convoy set sail after Israeli naval forces attacked and seized more than 40 boats last week that were part of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla and detained over 450 activists on board. Most of them have been deported.

Israel, as the occupying power, has also previously attacked Gaza-bound ships, seized their cargo, and deported activists on board.​​​​​​​