Italy and Spain are deploying navy patrol vessels to assist a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, following Israel’s recent interception of the convoy.
Italy condemned the attack and activated a navy frigate to be on hand for possible rescue operations, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said.
Crosetto said the frigate Fasan was heading to the area from its position north of Crete "for possible rescue operations.” Italy has informed Israel about the decision.
“In a democracy, demonstrations and forms of protest must also be protected when they are carried out in accordance with international law and without resorting to violence,” Crosetto said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Spain also will send a patrol vessel to assist the flotilla, or carry out a rescue.
“The Spanish Government demands that international law be complied with and that the right of our citizens to navigate the Mediterranean safely be respected,” Sánchez said Wednesday in New York.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry meanwhile said its computer systems had been overwhelmed by a “mail bombing” campaign in which thousands of what it said were fake emails flooded its servers after the attack on the flotilla.
Earlier Wednesday, the Global Sumud Flotilla had sent out an urgent appeal to its supporters asking them to email the ministry demanding it take a firm position to condemn the attack on the flotilla and put diplomatic pressure on those responsible.
The emails “had the effect of hindering the work” of the ministry's crisis unit, which has been the main point of contact for Italian citizens aboard the flotilla, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Italian officials have said 58 Italians were in the flotilla, including some lawmakers.
The European Union also warned against the use of any force. “The freedom of navigation under international law must be upheld," said Eva Hrncirova, a European Commission spokesperson.
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan called for an investigation.
