A tug vessel puts out a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel, Conscience, off the coast of Malta on May 2, 2025. Photo: Malta Government Department of Information via Reuters.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America — People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) strongly condemned an attack by “Israel” on the Freedom Flotilla, a humanitarian mission involving over 70 international activists from 20 countries. The coalition stated the flotilla’s goal was to deliver aid to Palestinians trapped in Gaza amid the ongoing genocide perpetrated by Tel Aviv.
In a May 3 statement, ALBA-TCP accused “Israel” of repeatedly violating fundamental principles of international and humanitarian law by targeting a civilian-led solidarity initiative. The alliance characterized the assault as an attack on the values of global cooperation and solidarity that drive worldwide support for Palestinian rights.
BREAKING: At 00:23 Maltese time, a #FreedomFlotilla ship was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull. The ship is currently located in international waters near #Malta. An #SOS distress signal was sent. pic.twitter.com/J6oEQafuOb
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) May 2, 2025
The statement urged the international community to condemn the attack and rally behind the Palestinian cause. ALBA-TCP reaffirmed its dedication to upholding sovereignty, peace, and international law, calling on nations committed to justice to unequivocally oppose “Israel’s” actions.
Below is the full, unofficial translation of the statement:
The world has witnessed the suffering of thousands of Palestinian families—men, women, and children—whom the inhumane Zionist regime of Israel has subjected to famine, war, pain, and, most recently, a slow and interminable genocide.
The Occupying Power has demonstrated its disregard for all boundaries by attacking the “Freedom Flotilla” in international waters. This humanitarian mission included over 70 international activists and human rights defenders from 20 countries dedicated to aiding the Palestinian people.
The member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA-TCP) strongly condemn this attack on humanitarian solidarity, which constitutes aggression against the millions worldwide who support the Palestinian people’s right to independence, sovereignty, and dignity.
The Israeli state continues to flagrantly violate the most basic norms of international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter, enabled by the silence and complicity of Western powers.
For these reasons, ALBA-TCP calls on the international community to condemn this act of piracy and terrorism and to express full solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people.
Long live free Palestine!
Caracas, May 3, 2025
The activists organizing the aid boat to Gaza accused Israeli drones of attacking their vessel on Friday near Malta as they sailed toward the Palestinian territory.
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In a statement, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said: “At 00:23 Maltese time, the Conscience, a Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship came under direct attack in international waters… Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull.” The group explicitly blamed “Israel” for the incident.
The activists demanded accountability, declaring: “Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters.”
The coalition reported that activists from 21 countries were aboard the vessel. They described the effort as a “mission to challenge Israel’s illegal and deadly siege of Gaza, and to deliver desperately needed, life-saving aid.”
(Últimas Noticias) by Larry Márquez with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SF
