U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are calling on the State Department to step up to protect a flotilla, whose ranks include two Massachusetts residents, that’s carrying food and aid to Gaza.

The Bay State Democrats, joined by U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., sent the appeal to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging him to intervene with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Those aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla were attacked Tuesday off the coast of Crete .

Two Western Massachusetts brothers, Adnaan Stumo and Tor Stumo, are among the 30 Americans who are believed to be taking part in the flotilla.

Residents of Maryland and Oregon are also participating in the flotilla, hence the involvement of Van Hollen and Merkley.

“Under int

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