Upon their arrival in the country, the Mexican members of the Global Sumud Flotilla addressed the media waiting for them at Mexico City International Airport (AICM).
From there, they claimed to have been victims of torture and mistreatment by the Israeli government and army. However, they asked the media and individuals not to cover them, stating that what they experienced is not even a small part of all that the Palestinian people have suffered.
Journalist Ernesto Ledesma, director of Rompeviento TV, asserted that their detention, as well as that of the approximately 500 crew members of the flotilla heading to Gaza to deliver aid, was an ambush by the Israeli army. He said they were fired at with water cannons containing an unidentified liquid that caused their skin to itch.
After being kidnapped by the army and held in its facilities, he recounted that they were subjected to psychological and physical torture. He explained that they were blindfolded and held on the floor, and that even when they chanted “Free Palestine!”, a Minister of Security told them: “Child murderers!”
He emphasized that Mauricio Escanero, Mexico’s ambassador to Israel, was also mistreated by the authorities there when he sought his release.
The journalist demanded that the Mexican government provide a forceful response to Israel and go beyond just a stance, for example, by taking actions such as severing diplomatic relations.
