The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) urgently calls on the Australian government to demand that Malta fulfill its legal obligations and assist a humanitarian vessel struck twice by what appear to have been Israeli drones as it attempted to deliver life-saving aid to Gaza.
At 00:23 Maltese time on Friday 2 May, The Conscience – a ship operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition – appears to have been attacked by Israeli drones.
The vessel, carrying 30 international human rights activists from 21 countries and essential supplies, sustained serious damage to its hull, resulting in a fire, and putting the ship at serious risk of sinking with all on board.
The attack occurred in international waters, just 17 nautical miles from Malta.
An SOS distress call was immediately issued, however, despite being the closest coastal state, Malta failed to respond, in violation of its obligations under international maritime law.
Southern Cyprus dispatched a vessel, however crew aboard The Conscience have reported that it is not providing the urgent electrical support needed, and the ship remains in danger of sinking.
This appears to be a targeted, illegal assault on a civilian aid mission, an attack not only on humanitarian workers, but on the very principle of humanitarian relief.
This is not the first time Israel has launched such an attack. In 2010, Israeli commandos killed 10 and wounded 54 unarmed civilians aboard the Mavi Marmara during another Gaza aid mission.
That incident was condemned by the UN as a violation of international law, with the UN Human Rights Council determining that it “displayed an unacceptable level of brutality.”
Now, history appears to be repeating, with Israel embolden by the impunity offered it by the international community as it commits genocide in Gaza.
The aim is clear: deter aid, and maintain a brutal blockade on humanitarian assistance in order to engineer famine in Gaza as part of Israel’s broader genocidal campaign.
APAN calls on the Australian government to urgently:
- Demand that Malta immediately uphold its maritime obligations and provide full assistance needed to save the lives of those aboard The Conscious.
- Condemn this brazen attack by Israel on a civilian humanitarian vessel in international waters.
- Support an international investigation into this act of brazen aggression.
- Take action – including imposing sanctions on Israel – to compel it to allow unfettered humanitarian access to Gaza, to end the blockade that has weaponised starvation against an entire population, and to end its ongoing genocide.
Australia must act immediately.
Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
“This is an attack on humanity. Israel appears to have deliberately targeted a civilian ship, in international waters, delivering aid to starving people. And now Malta seems to be looking the other way. Australia must rise to this moment and demand that Malta act to save those aboard The Conscious.
“For more than 18 months, Israel has brazenly attacked those delivering and distributing humanitarian aid to Gaza, assassinating Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom – along with Palestinians lining up to receive this aid. Now, Israel seems to be escalating that genocidal campaign by extending its attacks into international waters.
“This demands consequences. The international community must ensure Israel is held to account – for this attack, its ongoing genocide in Gaza, and for its illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine – without obstruction and without delay. And Australia must not hesitate to play its part.”