Who said what: Global voices on Israel’s interception of Global Sumud Flotilla
The flotilla, carrying participants from at least 44 countries was stopped in international waters, sparking accusations of illegality and violations of humanitarian principles.
SHAH ALAM - Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) en route to Gaza has triggered a wave of condemnation from world leaders and fuelled protests across cities including Istanbul, Athens, Buenos Aires, Rome, Berlin and Madrid.
The flotilla, carrying 500 participants from at least 44 countries; among them the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Belgium, Spain, Malaysia, Turkiye and Colombia, was stopped in international waters, sparking accusations of illegality and violations of humanitarian principles.
Palestine: “Condemns Israel’s attack and aggression”
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry posted on X that it condemns Israel’s attack and aggression against the GSF.
“GSF has the right of free passage in international waters and Israel must not interfere with its freedom of navigation, long recognised under international law,” the ministry added.
Turkiye: “An act of terrorism”
Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry called the interception “an act of terrorism” that endangered civilians and violated international law.
It said Israel’s actions showed that the fascist and militarist policies pursued by the genocidal Netanyahu government, which has condemned Gaza to famine, are not limited to Palestinians.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later described Israel’s move as “banditry”, declaring: “Turkiye supports all passengers of hope aboard the flotilla. We are taking measures to protect activists, our citizens aboard the flotilla.”
Malaysia: “Hold Israel accountable”
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim demanded the immediate release of Malaysians detained in the raid. On X, he said Malaysia would take “all lawful and legally grounded measures to hold Israel accountable.”
He added that Israel had disregarded the basic rights of the Palestinian people but has also trampled on the conscience of the global community.
South Africa: “Release the participants”
President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela, was among the detainees.
“South Africa calls on Israel to ensure that the life-saving cargo transported by this flotilla reaches the people of Gaza, as the flotilla represents solidarity with Gaza, not confrontation with Israel,” he said.
Colombia: “Expelling Israeli diplomats”
President Gustavo Petro announced Colombia was expelling Israeli diplomats and cancelling its free trade agreement with Israel. He wrote on X that Colombia “must pursue all the appropriate demands, including through Israeli courts” to secure the return of its citizens.
Italy: Concerns over violence
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israel had assured Italy there would be “no violent actions” against the flotilla. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged to secure the return of Italians aboard but criticised solidarity protests, saying they brought “no benefit to the Palestinian people.”
United Kingdom: “Very concerned”
The UK government expressed it was “very concerned” about the interception and said it was in contact with families of British nationals.
“The aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza,” it added.
Germany: “Act with proportionality”
Germany’s Foreign Ministry urged Israel to respect international law.
“We also called for the protection of all those on board to be guaranteed, to our knowledge, this has been done,” it said.
Spain: “Protect our citizens”
Spain demanded the “physical integrity and rights of Spanish citizens be respected.” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his government was extending diplomatic protection to all Spanish nationals on the flotilla.
Greece: Joint call with Italy
Greece joined Italy in urging Israel “to ensure the safety and security of the participants and to allow for all consular protection measures.”
Ireland: “Aid must reach Gaza”
President Michael D Higgins said Israel was preventing essential aid deliveries.
“The safety and protection of those involved in this humanitarian exercise is a concern for all of us and all of the nations from which the people come,” he said.
Pakistan: “This barbarity must end”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the raid as a “dastardly attack”.
“This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need,” he said.
Belgium: “Respect international law”
Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot wrote on X that his priority was ensuring “the rights of our compatriots are respected, that their safety is guaranteed, and that they can return home as quickly as possible.”
France: “Allow return without delay”
France’s foreign ministry demanded access to French citizens aboard and their prompt return. The leftist party France Unbowed called the raid an act of “piracy against the Global Sumud Flotilla.”
Its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon attacked Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot as an “incompetent fool” siding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: “He brings shame to our country.”
United States: Civil society demands action
While the White House has yet to comment, 20 Democratic lawmakers earlier urged intervention. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) said the raid showed Israel would “kidnap humanitarian activists and engage in piracy in international waters.”
“Every nation that pays lip service to international law should condemn this illegal attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla and take their own steps to forcibly break the siege of Gaza,” Cair’s Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell added.
United Nations: “Shame on Western governments”
The UN has not yet made an official statement, but UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese denounced Israel’s move.
“As I watch Israel’s illegal abduction of the only humans who have risked their lives to break Israel’s unlawful blockade, my thoughts are with the people of Gaza, trapped in Israel’s killing fields.
“Shame on Western governments first and foremost and their complicit inaction,” Albanese said.
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