The Catholic Church in Mexico demanded the safe return of Mexicans members of the Flotilla Global Sumud They left for Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and were intercepted in international waters.
Through the National Dialogue for Peace, an initiative that brings together efforts from the Church against violence – established by the Mexican Episcopate Conference (CEM), the Conference of Religious of Mexico (CIRM) and the Society of Jesus -, A statement was disseminated in which the “interception of the Global Sumud flotilla by Israeli forces in international waters was condemned, during its humanitarian mission made Gaza.”
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According to the movement websitedelegations from 57 countries promised to navigate to Gaza, Palestinian territory immersed in an armed conflict with Israel, with the aim of breaking the siege “by sea and” opening a humanitarian corridor. ” Activists from different nationalities participated in this mission, including several Mexicans. After the interception, the crew spread a video in which it asked its governments to intervene to guarantee their return.
The president of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, celebrated in his X account The military activity that “prevented dozens of ships from entering the war zone and repelled a campaign to delegitimize Israel.”
Demands of the Catholic Church
The statement demanded the “end of the genocide in Gaza: high to permanent fire, broad and sustained access to humanitarian aid by all roads, and safe routes for medical and rescue personnel.”
The “immediate and safe return to national territory was also requested, with full respect for their human rights, physical integrity and due process.” In particular, the Mexican consulate was urged to guarantee the “location, verification of their health status, access to legal assistance and communication with their families” and the “immediate release of all civilian persons detained during the interception of the Sumud flotilla.”
Likewise, the International Community was called to the “cessation of actions in international waters against humanitarian missions and accountability before competent multilateral instances.”
According to UNICEF“More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in a famine situation, while access to food, water and medical assistance remains blocked.”
The message concluded by remembering that “the civilist missions of humanitarian aid are not an enemy: they are a bridge of life. Defending their work is to defend human dignity and international law”, and urging “protecting those who help, save lives in Gaza and guarantee the safe return of our compatriots.”
Diego López Colín
I am a graduate of journalism at the Carlos Septién García school with experience of religious institutional communication. Since 2016 I write for digital media and, since 2018, I report the most important news about the Catholic event in Mexico for the Ewtn news channel. ACI Press correspondent in Mexico since 2023.