‘International Crime’: World Leaders Condemn Israel’s Attack on Gaza Flotilla

October 2, 2025 News
World leaders have condemned Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla. (Design: Palestine Chronicle)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

World leaders from South Africa to Spain, Colombia, Turkiye and beyond have condemned Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, calling it piracy, terrorism, and a grave violation of international law.

World leaders have condemned Israel’s attack on vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) since Wednesday, which was en route to break the illegal blockade on the Gaza Strip. South Africa, in particular, said Israel’s action “violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.”

The flotilla, consisting of more than 40 vessels and over 400 activists from 47 countries, was attacked by the Israeli navy around 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) from Gaza. Activists were abducted and forcibly taken to Israel’s Ashdod port, from where they will be deported to Europe, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry. 

The boats were carrying humanitarian aid, including food, baby formula and medicine. 

The Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas, has called the interception and arrests “piracy and terrorism,” which “constitutes a treacherous assault and a crime of piracy and maritime terrorism against civilians,” adding “to the black record of the occupation’s crimes.”

“We salute the courage of the free activists and their insistence on breaking the siege on our people, and we call upon the free people of the world to organize popular events and protests condemning this crime,” the movement said in a statement.

Spain Summons Top Israeli Diplomat

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares announced on Thursday that Madrid summoned the Israeli charge d’affaires following the attack on the flotilla.

Speaking on the Spanish broadcaster RTVE, Albares said that Israeli charge d’affaires in Spain, Dana Erlich, has been summoned to convey the government’s condemnation of what happened, the Anadolu news agency reported. 

He noted that “the urgent matter” is that “the physical integrity and rights” of the Spanish citizens aboard the flotilla are “respected,” after they were “detained” by Israel.

Albares also said that those aboard the flotilla “do not and did not represent any threat to Israel or anyone else,” as their “sole objective was humanitarian,” stressing that they should not be accused of “absolutely anything.”

The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, described Israel’s attacks on the flotilla as “a violation of international law,” reiterating that the humanitarian aid flotilla “does not represent any danger” to Tel Aviv.

“As Foreign Minister (Jose Manuel) Albares has said, we have also conveyed to the Israeli government that it is necessary they protect not only the rights of our compatriots but of all members of the flotilla,” he stressed.

Sánchez said the flotilla seeks to fill a gap left by restrictions imposed on Gaza, where the UN and its agencies have long operated.

“For us now, the most important thing is the security of our compatriots and that they can return home soon,” he said. “And from there, we will obviously consider any type of action.”

Colombia Expels Israeli Diplomats

Colombian President Gustavo Petro took to social media to warn about the monitoring of the flotilla by what he termed “Israeli genocidal forces” after the detention of two Colombian citizens on board the flotilla was known.

Petro ordered the expulsion of the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation from Colombia, warning that if the reports were true, it would constitute “a new international crime by (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu.”

He also asserted that “the Free Trade Agreement with Israel is immediately denounced.”

He indicated that the Foreign Ministry would file lawsuits, including in Israeli courts, and urged international lawyers to support the Colombian legal team.

‘Violates ICJ Injunction’ – South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the interception in international waters off the coast of Gaza reinforces Israel’s continued violation of international law and infliction of suffering, including starvation, on the Palestinian people.

“The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is another grave offence by Israel of global solidarity and sentiment that is aimed at relieving suffering in Gaza and advancing peace in the region,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.

He stressed that the interception of the flotilla in international waters “is contrary to international law and violates the sovereignty of every nation whose flag was flown on the dozens of vessels in the flotilla.”

Ramaphosa added, “This action also violates an International Court of Justice injunction that humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow unimpeded.”

“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,” the president emphasized.

He said South Africa supports the call by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible.

South Africans who were on board the flotilla include Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela who is the grandson of former SA president, Nelson Mandela.

‘Act of Terrorism’ – Turkiye

“The attack carried out by Israeli forces in international waters against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, constitutes an act of terrorism that gravely violates international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 

The Ministry said that the “assault, targeting civilians who were acting peacefully without resorting to violence, demonstrates that the fascist and militarist policies pursued by the genocidal Netanyahu government—which has condemned Gaza to famine—are not limited to Palestinians, but extend to all those who resist Israel’s oppression.”

“We hope that this attack will not undermine ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza,” it stressed. The Ministry called upon the United Nations and all relevant international organizations to take immediate action to lift the unlawful blockade on Gaza, to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the region, and to guarantee the freedom of navigation.

‘Breach of Maritime Law’ – Ireland

Ireland’s Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheal Martin denounced the attack as a “breach of international maritime law,” speaking ahead of the European Political Community meeting in Copenhagen on Thursday.

Asked whether Israel’s attack on the flotilla constitutes a “breach of international maritime law,” Martin agreed, emphasizing: “If it happened in international waters, then yes.”

“It’s a humanitarian mission, no threat to anybody other than to highlight and also to bring humanitarian aid into the people of Gaza and it underlines the absolute imperative of getting humanitarian aid into Gaza as quickly as possible,” he said.

Martin also reaffirmed that consular assistance will be provided to those detained, emphasizing the “importance” of them being treated “properly.”

‘Aid Should be Turned Over’ – UK

The British Foreign Office reportedly called on Israel to ensure aid taken from the flotilla is safely delivered into Gaza.

“The aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement, according to the Anadolu news agency.

The office has been in contact with the Israeli authorities after the interception and abduction of the activists. 

The spokesperson said the UK expects the situation to be resolved safely, in line with international law and with due respect for the rights of all those on board.

“It is the responsibility of the Israeli government to resolve the atrocious humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” it added.

The spokesperson also highlighted the need for immediately and unconditionally lifting restrictions on aid so that the UN and NGOs can deliver food, medicine and other essentials to civilians in desperate need.

‘Palestinians are Suffering’ – Brazil

The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the flotilla was intended to “highlight the need for humanitarian aid to the Palestinians who are suffering and isolated in Gaza,” adding that “Israel is responsible for the safety of the people on that flotilla.”

‘Criminal Nature’ – Venezuela

The government of Venezuela described the interception as a “cowardly act of piracy.” In a press release, it condemned the “criminal nature of the Zionist regime” and asserted that the Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid is a “deliberate tool of war” intended to “annihilate the population through starvation.”

‘Act of Violence’ – Bolivia

Bolivian President Luis Arce said Bolivia “strongly condemns the brutal attack,” which he called “an unacceptable act of violence” and a “flagrant violation of international law.”

He added that the “policy of state terrorism” promoted by Netanyahu is “no excuse” for the attack against unarmed civilians.

‘Affront to Humanity’ – Maldives

The Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu “strongly” condemned the Israeli attack, saying that “such intimidation is unacceptable and must not be tolerated.”

“Targeting a humanitarian convoy carrying relief to a population deprived of freedom and basic necessities is a grave affront to humanity and international law,” Muizzu said on X.

“We call on the international community to take decisive actions against Israel’s gross and repeated violations of international law, which go far beyond the moral compass shared by humanity,” he added.

‘Utter Contempt’ – Malaysia

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned in the “strongest terms” Israel’s attack on the flotilla, warning that his country will take all legal measures to hold Tel Aviv accountable, especially when its citizens are involved.

“By blocking a humanitarian mission, Israel has shown utter contempt not only for the rights of the Palestinian people but also for the conscience of the world. The flotilla embodied solidarity, compassion and the hope of relief for those under blockade,” he said on X.

“As long as the Palestinian people are denied their fundamental rights and aspirations, Malaysia will stand unflinchingly with them. We will not relent in demanding an end to the injustice and dispossession that have plagued Palestine for generations,” Anwar emphasized.

‘Barbarity Must End’ – Pakistan

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country “strongly” condemns the attack and demands the immediate release of the illegally detained peace activists.

“This barbarity must end. Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need,” Sharif said on X.

“We hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended by Israeli forces.”

‘Shame on Western Governments’ – Francesca Albanese

“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,” UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese said on X. 

“Shame on Western governments first and foremost, and their complicit inaction,” she added.

Albanese also said that if “ordinary citizens of the world, with small and underresourced boats can do that, why states don’t break the blockade with their navies? Is this the world we live in? No, we do not accept it.”

(PC, Anadolu)

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1 Comment

  1. Say it with me…
    the ISRAELI JEWS are doing this. Not Hamas, not Hezbollah, not Ansarallah.
    We can definitely say this is being done by the Israeli Jews.
    Am i an antisemite for writing that???
    NO! this is history, stop being afraid of it.

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