French deputies detained in ‘Israel’ declare hunger strike

• Four French lawmakers detained by ‘Israel’ declare hunger strike in Gaza flotilla incident
• France Unbowed urges authorities to act as detainees face harsh conditions

Four hard-left French deputies detained by ‘Israel’ after boarding the Global Sumud Flotilla have declared a hunger strike, their party ‘France Unbowed’ announced.

"We have no news from them, except for brief contacts through their lawyers and the French consul who was able to visit them," Manon Aubry, a French lawmaker and European Parliament representative for the party, said. 

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She described the detention conditions as difficult, with more than 10 people per cell and limited access to water.

France Unbowed said Saturday that two of its French lawmakers, François Piquemal and Marie Mesmeur, and two European Parliament members, Rima Hassan and Emma Fourreau, have declared a hunger strike "in solidarity with the Palestinian people."

Aubry called on French authorities to repatriate their nationals.

‘Israel’ detained 30 French citizens after intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla in its attempt to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. 

"It is time for France to finally take action," Aubry said. 

France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticized "the cowards of the French government," pointing out that detainees from other countries had already been returned. 

Meanwhile, former Macron minister Nathalie Louiseau said, "France is doing what it needs to do" and "is providing consular protection to its citizens who were part of this flotilla."

She also questioned France Unbowed's motives. "Is it really to shed light on the Palestinians and their suffering in Gaza, or is it a self-promotion effort? I'm afraid the latter is the case," she told France 3.