The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) condemns the unlawful Israeli naval interception and detention of the Global Sumud Flotilla. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all activists seized while undertaking this peaceful humanitarian mission.
The flotilla comprised more than forty vessels carrying around 500 civilian volunteers from over 40 countries. Their mission was to deliver life-saving aid and to break the ongoing blockade of Gaza, which has deliberately deprived Palestinians of food, medicine, and dignity.
The interception of this humanitarian mission is not only a blatant violation of international law, but also a grave assault on the very principles of human rights and solidarity.
The interception took place in international waters and has led to the detention of more than 450 crew members. This is not the first time Israel has unlawfully intercepted humanitarian missions in international waters. Previous missions, including the Madleen and Handala, were also intercepted. UN Special Rapporteurs have reaffirmed that the people of Gaza have the right to receive humanitarian assistance through their territorial waters, and that Israel has no authority to obstruct the freedom of navigation enshrined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
International humanitarian law – including the Geneva Conventions – guarantees the unhindered passage of humanitarian aid and forbids the obstruction of relief efforts. UN Security Council resolutions on Gaza adopted since 2023 have reiterated the urgent requirement for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. The International Court of Justice, under the Genocide Convention, has issued binding provisional measures obliging Israel to prevent acts of genocide, prosecute incitement, and enable humanitarian assistance. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is also equally clear: the deliberate starvation of civilians and the obstruction of aid delivery constitute war crimes and must be prosecuted as such.
Those detained are being held in prison in Israel’s Negev desert. Reports from lawyers and human rights monitors indicate that activists have been bound, forced to kneel for long periods, denied access to food, water, medical treatment, and legal counsel. Latest reports indicate that 137 activists have been deported, but hundreds remain in detention. Reports of degrading and inhumane treatment must be urgently and independently investigated, and Israel held to account for violations of the rights of those detained.
Among those imprisoned are trade unionists from ITF affiliate unions, including Maritime Union of Australia seafarer Hamish Paterson, as well as representatives of allied global organisations such as Progressive International, underlining the unity of the global labour movement with the wider struggle for justice, peace, and human rights.
The ITF therefore demands:
- The immediate release of all detained flotilla activists and crew members and a guarantee of their safe return home.
- Governments whose nationals are among the detainees to intervene decisively and press Israel to comply with international law.
- International institutions, including the United Nations, to investigate the illegality of the interception and the treatment of detainees, and to pursue accountability.
- Trade unions and civil society across the world to mobilise solidarity and demand the release of all detained flotilla activists, writing to governments through the Global Sumud Flotilla campaign.
The ITF extends its full solidarity to the Global Sumud Flotilla activists. The forced detention of peace activists is an assault on the rights of all working people. No unionist, no humanitarian, and no peace activist should ever be criminalised for standing up for justice, dignity, and human rights.
On the eve of October 7, the ITF also reiterate our demands for peace, justice and accountability: an immediate and permanent ceasefire; the unconditional release of all hostages and prisoners held without due judicial process; an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian; implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and a two-state solution based on justice and peace; full accountability for all international crimes, including through the International Criminal Court; states to implement the International Court of Justice decisions without any delays; an end to the impunity of companies profiting from the occupation and war; and an immediate opening of all borders to enable convoys of food and humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza.
Image credit: REUTERS
