Participants from a Gaza-bound, anti-Israel flotilla intercepted by Israel off the coast of Greece were being transferred to Israeli custody on Thursday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced. The statement came as European nations slammed Israel’s pre-dawn interception of at least 21 of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s 58 boats near Crete, over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from Israel — much farther than previous interceptions of Gaza-bound flotillas. According to the Foreign Ministry, Israel acted after the flotilla “actively attempted to block an Israeli merchant vessel.” “This is why Israel acted early, peacefully, in accordance with international law, and with the aim of ensuring the safety and security of all those on board – and it will continue to do so,” said the ministry. Israel says some 175 activists were detained, while a spokesperson for the flotilla later put the figure at 211.…