فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The Moroccan National Press Syndicate (SNPM) expressed deep concern over the Israeli army’s interception of the humanitarian ship “Handala,” which was heading to the Gaza Strip carrying vital aid. The Moroccan journalist Mohamed Bakkali was arrested on Saturday evening while participating in this solidarity mission.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the syndicate strongly condemned this arbitrary detention, considering it a serious violation of peaceful humanitarian, journalistic, and human rights missions. It demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mohamed Bakkali as well as all crew members aboard the ship.
The syndicate explained that the Israeli navy intercepted and stormed the ship at sea after several attempts to intimidate it, less than seven hours from its final destination on the Gaza coast. It regarded this behavior as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and journalist protection standards in conflict zones, emphasizing that press missions cannot under any circumstances be equated with hostile acts.
The SNPM called on all international organizations defending press freedom and human rights, as well as UN bodies, to urgently act to ensure journalists’ safety and pressure Israel to respect its international obligations.
The syndicate’s statement concluded that this incident once again demonstrates “Israel’s disregard for fundamental rights and universal principles of freedom of information.”
Meanwhile, calls have been mounting inside Morocco and internationally for immediate intervention by the Moroccan government to secure the release of journalist Mohamed Bakkali, who remains detained in Israel. Bakkali had recorded a message before his arrest urging Moroccan authorities to intervene for his release and protect his life.
On Sunday, the ship “Handala,” which was heading to Gaza with humanitarian aid and was intercepted by the Israeli army off the besieged Gaza Strip on Saturday evening, arrived at Israel’s Ashdod port. The crew members, including the Al Jazeera journalist and several elected members from the French La France Insoumise party, were apprehended by Israeli authorities.
The Israeli NGO Adalah stated that the Israeli authorities confirmed the ship’s arrival at Ashdod port after 12 hours at sea. The organization noted that the authorities prohibited contact with the detainees and prevented the provision of legal assistance to them.
Calls for Bakkali’s release began immediately on Saturday night. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for immediate protection of the journalist covering the high-risk mission alongside American cameraman Waad Mohamed Salim Al Taii, documenting aid delivery to Gaza, a territory isolated and cut off from the world. Moroccan MP Fatima Tamni from the Democratic Left Federation (FGD) addressed Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, demanding urgent action to protect the Moroccan journalist.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House and the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Tamni highlighted that the mission departed from the port of Syracuse, Italy, carrying over twenty journalists, activists, and international parliamentarians. She emphasized that the mission faced prior Israeli threats and documented sabotage attempts before departure, as confirmed by participants and international media.
“What happened constitutes a serious breach of the security of a Moroccan citizen and violates his fundamental right to carry out his professional and humanitarian mission,” wrote Tamni, expressing her deep concern over the absence of an official response so far and calling for concrete diplomatic measures. She asked the minister what steps have been taken or planned to ensure the physical and moral security of Mohamed Bakkali and to obtain his immediate and unconditional release, similar to the mobilization of other governments for their nationals detained in the same operation.
Besides the FGD, Morocco’s Justice and Development Party (PJD) has also called for authorities to intervene to free Bakkali.
Members of the journalist’s family also denounced the arrest of the Ouazzane native.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared on Sunday that the navy stopped the Handala to prevent it from entering waters off Gaza and that “the ship is safely heading toward Israeli shores. All passengers are safe.”
On Saturday, a live video broadcast from the Handala showed Israeli soldiers boarding the ship. An online tracking tool indicated the vessel was in international waters west of Gaza.
The ship had set out to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver a small amount of humanitarian aid to the territory devastated by over 21 months of war.
Before being detained, the Handala crew declared on X (former Twitter) that they would begin a hunger strike if the Israeli army intercepted the vessel and arrested its passengers.
Previously, the “Madleen,” another ship sent by the same organization, had also been intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters on June 9. Activists, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were ultimately expelled by Israel.
