In a joint statement, the Greek and Italian Ministries of Foreign Affairs called on Israeli authorities to guarantee the security and safety of the activists aboard the international flotilla bound for Gaza with humanitarian aid.

Both Italy and Greece are closely following the route of the international flotilla and urged Israeli authorities to permit the consular services to take all the necessary measures for the safety of the passengers aboard the vessels.

“We, the Foreign Ministers of the Hellenic Republic and the Italian Republic, call on the members of the Flotilla to accept the proposal of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the safe delivery of aid intended for the children, women, and men of Gaza,” stated Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani.

They added that “thanks to the diplomatic initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump, for the first time, there is a concrete possibility of ending this violent conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian people, including through full humanitarian access.”

Concluding their statement, Gerapetritis and Tajani stressed that “Greece and Italy reaffirm the need to ensure humanitarian access to Gaza and to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible. At this delicate juncture, everyone must refrain from initiatives that could be exploited by those who continue to reject peace.”