French MP calls for expulsion of Israeli envoy over threat against Gaza-bound flotilla

During a Tuesday interview with Paris-based Radio J, Zarka made sarcastic remarks about the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy carrying humanitarian aid, politicians, and activists, including climate advocate Greta Thunberg, en route to the Gaza Strip.

The Zionist regime’s ambassador cast doubt on whether the flotilla would “even arrive” in Gaza, and said he wished luck to the “third-rate” pro-Palestinian politicians aboard, adding that he hoped they would be “fortunate enough to stay alive.”

"This flotilla, frankly, it’s just another kind of media stunt for third-rate politicians who have nothing else to do and who feel they’re not getting enough attention in the national or international media," he said.

Thomas Portes, a French parliamentarian from the left-wing La France Insoumise party, responded to Zarka’s remarks, calling on the government to expel the Israeli ambassador from France.

"The ‘ambassador’ of the genocide, Joshua Zarka, threatens the flotilla participants on Radio J. France must expel him and shut down the ‘embassy,’ which is a branch of the Israeli terrorist government. These people, who starve a population, carry out a genocide, and enforce an apartheid policy, have no place on French soil," Portes wrote in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla demanded protection from the Spanish government and Europe amid the Israeli threats.

"Israel is threatening the Global Sumud Flotilla, ships carrying medicines and food to Gaza on a humanitarian mission. We demand that the Government and Europe act to ensure their protection in compliance with international law," the Flotilla wrote on X on Wednesday.

It announced that the Pakistani delegation joined the Malaysian flotilla Sumud Nusantara, which is also joining the Global Sumud Flotilla to break Israel's blockade.

Italy-based humanitarian organization EMERGENCY also announced on Tuesday that it is joining the flotilla en route to Gaza with its search and rescue ship Life Support "to act as an observer and provide medical and logistical support to the participating vessels."

"While our governments have been unable to take measures to stop a situation that is deteriorating day by day, citizens are not resigned to standing by and watching," EMERGENCY wrote in a statement.

In the meantime, a Spanish daily reported on Wednesday that of the 30 boats that set out from Barcelona on Monday afternoon, five had to return, and two were unable to leave the harbour due to mechanical problems.

Around 20 vessels are reportedly heading to Tunisia to join another 20 ships in delivering aid to Gaza, with a brief, undisclosed stop in Spain’s Balearic Islands.

Around 200 activists, politicians, and artists from 44 countries initially set sail on Sunday from Barcelona after a large rally in support of their mission.

Thunberg, who is making the voyage for a second time this year, failed to reach Gaza in her first attempt after  Israeli forces seized the ship and deported the activists.

Irish actor Liam Cunningham, Spanish actor Eduardo Fernandez, and former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau are among those taking part in the voyage.

The organizers say the flotilla will be joined by more ships departing from Italy and Tunisia, bringing the total to more than 500 people and around 60 vessels. They hope to reach Gaza by mid-September. Since 2010, the Israeli forces have attacked and seized all flotillas attempting to break the Gaza blockade.

However, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory says the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla is “fully compliant with international law.”

Francesca Albanese voiced her support in a message to the crew, warning that any attempt to intercept the vessels could amount to an act of aggression and a breach of the crew’s rights under international maritime law.