Brazilian congresswoman Luizianne Lins is captured and imprisoned by Israel aboard a ship belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla.

247 - The Israeli Armed Forces intercepted this Wednesday (1st) the boat Grande Blu, which was carrying federal deputy Luizianne Lins (PT-CE) and nine other members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international mission that was taking water, food and medicine to the Gaza Strip.

The action took place when the vessel was already approaching Palestinian territory, amidst expectations that, due to international pressure and public support from various countries, the boats would be able to reach the starving population. However, according to reports, the military operation is heading towards the kidnapping, arrest, and subsequent deportation of the crew—a practice already recorded in June, when the Madleen boat, from the Freedom Flotilla, was captured in similar circumstances.

The congresswoman from Ceará had requested diplomatic support before the trip. On September 17th, she sent an official letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting protection measures for the Brazilian delegation, composed of 15 people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself, in a response dated September 11th, acknowledged being attentive and prepared to provide consular assistance should Brazilian citizens be detained. On the 26th of last month, a group of 37 federal deputies had also formally requested the government to reinforce the protection of the crew members.

So far, at least 11 Brazilians have been intercepted on different vessels of the flotilla. Among them, in addition to Luizianne, are Campinas city councilwoman Mariana Conti (PSOL-SP), the president of the PSOL in Rio Grande do Sul, Gabi Tolotti, activist Thiago Ávila, and leaders of social and cultural movements.

Federal Deputy Natália Bonavides (PT-RN) used social media to denounce the arrest of her colleague. “URGENT: Israel has just arrested Deputy Luizianne Lins and other activists who were heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. National and international authorities are working to ensure their release as quickly and safely as possible! We are with you, comrades!”, she wrote.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is made up of more than 40 civilian vessels and approximately 500 participants from 46 countries, including parliamentarians, jurists, and activists. Its objective is to break the Gaza blockade, in place for over 17 years, by delivering basic supplies to a population subjected to famine and devastation from Israeli attacks.

The Brazilians on the boats intercepted so far are:

• Big Blue Boat Luizianne Lins, federal deputy for the PT (Workers' Party).
• Alma Boat - Thiago Ávila (member of the Steering Committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla)
• Sirius ship - Mariana Conti, city councilwoman of Campinas for PSOL; Nicolas Calabrese, professor and coordinator of the Emancipa Network in Rio de Janeiro; Bruno Gilga, USP worker and activist with CSP-Conlutas; Lisiane Proença, popular communicator; Magno Costa, director of SINTUSP.
• Adara Boat - Ariadne Telles, a popular lawyer and activist in the struggle for land rights in the Amazon; and Mansur Peixoto, creator of the Islamic History project.
• Spectre Boat - Gabi Tolotti, president of PSOL-RS and Mohamad El Kadri, president of the Latin American Palestinian Forum and coordinator of the Palestinian Front of São Paulo
• Yulara Boat Lucas Gusmão, international activist