We stand in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla. While the United States and Iran fight over their rights to access the Strait of Hormuz, GAZA remains under siege. Palestinians are dying from lack of food, water and medicine.
The contradictions are obvious. The fundamental freedom of navigation and uninterrupted flow of goods cannot be upheld for the Strait of Hormuz but denied for the Occupied Palestine Territory, including Gaza. Israel’s siege is also illegal and immoral. Under international humanitarian law, civilians must have access to food, medicine, and essential aid, regardless of political or military disputes.
Yet on April 29, Israeli forces attacked 22 out of 55 Global Sumud Flotilla vessels in international waters—over 600 nautical miles from Gaza. Israeli commandos smashed and disabled boats (at least one has reportedly sunk), and abducted 175 civilians who were on board. While some detainees, a number of them bloodied and with broken bones, were left in Crete, two of the flotilla organizers–Saif Abu Kishek and Thiago Avila–remain in Israeli captivity. They are being arbitrarily detained, beaten, and subjected to baseless accusations of “terrorism”—the same smear used to criminalize Palestinian existence and global solidarity.
We strongly condemn these arrests, attacks and beatings of flotilla participants and demand release of all remaining detainees. Such actions against unarmed civilians engaged in humanitarian efforts constitute serious violations of international law and perpetrators must be held accountable.
We, the undersigned, express our full support for the Freedom Flotillas now heading toward Gaza with the aim of breaking the blockade and delivering urgently needed humanitarian assistance. These civilian-led missions represent a legitimate and nonviolent effort to uphold international humanitarian principles and respond to a catastrophic human crisis.
The continued obstruction of humanitarian assistance violates core principles enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and international human rights law.
We therefore call for:
● The immediate lifting of the blockade on Gaza and the full restoration of humanitarian access by land, sea, and air.
● The safe and unhindered passage of all humanitarian flotillas and civilian aid missions.
● The immediate release of all flotilla participants who have been detained.
● An independent investigation into allegations of abuse, with full accountability for those responsible for acts of violence or torture.
● Renewed international action to uphold international law and protect civilian populations.
The Freedom Flotillas embody a global call for justice, solidarity, and the protection of human life. We stand with those who take action—peacefully and courageously—to uphold these principles.
Global Solidarity for Peace in Palestine