ISTANBUL

Opposition parties in Greece condemned Israel’s interception of the aid ship Madleen, which was attempting to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.

SYRIZA, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the New Left party and the Movement for Democracy party expressed support for the activists onboard and criticized the Greek government for remaining silent in the face of Israel’s actions.

SYRIZA leader Sokratis Famellos said on Facebook that the Madleen posed no threat and was instead "a necessary act of solidarity," yet was met with force.

In a statement, the KKE denounced Israel’s interception of the ship and the detention and deportation of its passengers as “unacceptable and condemnable acts.”

The party also accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people and blocking access to humanitarian aid with the backing of the US, NATO and the European Union.

The KKE also held the Greek government responsible for maintaining military cooperation with Israel and failing to condemn the intervention.

New Left leader Alexis Haritsis criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, calling it a “far-right government that violates international law.”

Stefanos Kasselakis, the leader of the Movement for Democracy party, also weighed in via Facebook, saying that under international law, a vessel can only be seized if there is evidence that it is carrying weapons, drugs or is involved in terrorism.

“For Netanyahu, humanitarian aid is also considered a weapon,” he said.