During the night between 26 and 27 July, in international waters, the humanitarian ship Handala of the Freedom Flotilla was stopped by the Israeli armed forces.

We would like to remind you that our comrade, friend and activist of the Observatory against the militarisation of schools and universities, Antonio Mezzo, was arrested last night along with other activists.

We appeal to everyone to: go to this website Newscord.org, enter a few details and wait a few seconds, and an email bombing campaign will be launched to all relevant bodies, calling for the release of the Handala volunteers with the following text:

To the kind attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and for information

to the Italian Embassy in Israel, I am writing to you as an Italian citizen deeply concerned about what has happened in the last few hours to the humanitarian ship Handala, which was stopped in international waters by Israeli armed forces (IDF), who boarded the ship with weapons, intimidating and allegedly detaining civilians on board who were engaged in a peaceful mission of solidarity with the people of Gaza.

This is a serious violation of international law, the right to freedom of navigation in international waters and the fundamental human rights of those involved. I ask the Ministry to:

• Take immediate action to verify the condition of the crew and passengers on board,

• Demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained,

• Publicly condemn the act committed by the IDF, which is incompatible with the principles of international and humanitarian law.

Italy cannot remain silent in the face of an act of force against a civilian and peaceful mission.

We ask you to act with the utmost urgency and transparency.

Let’s put pressure on the authorities to secure the release of Antonio and the crew!

Urgent appeal: “Free Antonio Mazzeo and the crew of the Handala!”