Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat condemned the Israeli navy takeover of a Gaza-bound international aid boat. "We strongly condemn the Israeli aggression against today’s international Flotilla that attempted to break the illegal Israeli siege over 1.8 million people in Gaza," said Erekat in a statement. 

The PLO official praised the participants, who were composed of an all-female crew of parliamentarians, writers and human rights activists, among others. "We call upon the occupying power to immediately release them, as well as on their countries, including Spain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada and the United States, to do everything possible in order to prevent Israel from violating the rights of their citizens," he said after Israel had held the international activists. 

"The Palestinian cause for freedom and independence is a universal quest for justice embraced by millions worldwide. The flotilla is a humble yet significant reminder that it is time to turn statements into concrete actions," he said. 

Source : QNA