October 2, 2025
Italy
The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by “Israel” has sparked an immediate wave of international condemnation and diplomatic reactions in various countries. In response, Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation still in Bogotá.The measure was announced on his official Twitter account following the arrest of two Colombian citizens, Manuela Bedoya and Luna Barreto, who were part of the humanitarian mission.
Petro described the incident as a “violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions” and asked the Foreign Ministry to file the relevant lawsuits, including before the Israeli courts. “Anyone who rejoices because a totalitarian government detains young civilians in international waters is someone who has never understood what civilization is,” he said. Petro did not hesitate to hold the Israeli prime minister responsible, stating: “If this information is true, there is a new international crime by (Benjamin) Netanyahu.”
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel also condemned “in the strongest terms, the interception by the Zionist government of Israel of the Global Sumud Flotilla.”According to the Cuban leader, this event confirms the genocidal nature of Israel, which knows no bounds.“Our support and solidarity with the brave crew members of the flotilla,” he said on social media.
Israeli soldiers attack the flotilla
Brazil also demanded that the Israeli government guarantee the safety of the activists transporting humanitarian aid aboard the flotilla bound for the coastal enclave.
In Italy, the largest labor union called for a general strike on Friday in protest against this aggression by the Israeli occupation. Meanwhile protestors stood on tracks in several cities bring rail service to a halt.
France, through its foreign minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged “Israel” to respect the right to consular protection and allow the return of its citizens involved.
Similarly, Ireland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs reported that he was in communication with his European counterparts to address the situation.
The Islamic Jihad organization described the incident as a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian conventions and called on the community to respond to state terrorism.
Turkey, for its part, condemned the attack as a terrorist act that endangers the lives of innocent civilians.
Argentina
In Tunisia, the Workers’ Party renewed its condemnation of what it described as a Zionist aggression and an example of absolute chaos. Its secretary general, Hamma Hammami, considered that the events that took place today against the flotilla represent a crime that began in Tunisia. “Gaza mobilized the peoples and the protest movement around the world; we must take advantage of this to intensify the pressure on the occupation,” he said.
The Algerian Coordination Committee for Support to the Palestinian People called on the Algerian government to take immediate action against the Zionist attacks on the activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Mohamed Al-Farah, a member of the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah in Yemen, said that the silence of the international community encourages the enemy to commit more crimes.
Venezuela condemns Israeli attack on Freedom Flotilla
The Venezuelan government on Wednesday condemned what it called an “act of piracy” committed by Israeli occupation forces against the Freedom Flotilla.
According to the official statement, the Israeli military operation against the mission in international waters “is a further demonstration of the ‘criminal nature of the Zionist regime,’” by preventing the entry of food and medicine in the midst of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. It specified that the blockade of humanitarian aid is “part of a deliberate war” whose objective is to “annihilate the Palestinian population through starvation,” while describing as “miserable and grotesque” the fact that a shipment of food is considered a threat to security. He stressed that “the only real threat to world peace is Zionism, a colonialist and apartheid ideology that systematically violates international law and human decency.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla reported on Wednesday that its ships were subjected to “illegal interception and maritime piracy” by the Israeli occupation forces.The incident occurred after the Israeli Navy ordered the ships to change course to the port of Ashdod, on the grounds of inspecting humanitarian aid.Alma and Sirius were the first ships intercepted while still in international waters, according to the flotilla’s organizers.
Taken from Al Mayadeen.
Statement from the Global Sumud Flotilla
October 2, 2025
MEDITERRANEAN SEA – After Israeli occupation naval forces illegally intercepted vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla —a peaceful, non-violent convoy carrying food, baby formula, medicine, and volunteers from 47 countries to Gaza—hundreds of participants have been abducted and reportedly taken aboard the large naval vessel, the MSC Johannesburg. This was after they were assaulted with water cannons, doused with skunk water, and had their communications systematically jammed in yet more acts of aggression against unarmed civilians.
Additionally, several boats were reportedly stopped by a chain-like barrier in international waters where Israel has no jurisdiction, just as they have no jurisdiction over Gaza’s waters and shoreline, compounding Israel’s continued war crimes and illegal blockade. Adalah lawyers, who represent the flotilla participants before Israeli authorities, have been given minimal updates and have not been informed on whether the estimated 443 flotilla volunteers, who were forcibly taken from their vessels, will arrive at Ashdod, where they are expected to be processed under illegal detention.
This is an unlawful abduction, in direct violation of international law and basic human rights. Intercepting humanitarian vessels in international waters is a war crime; denying legal counsel and concealing the fate of those seized compounds that crime. We demand that governments, world leaders, and international institutions immediately intervene to secure information on the missing participants, guarantee their safety, and demand their immediate release.
Our commitment remains clear: to break Israel’s illegal siege and end the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. Every act of repression against our flotilla,every escalation of violence in Gaza, and every attempt to suppress solidarity actions only strengthen our resolve.Mikeno, sailing under the French flag, may have entered Palestinian territorial waters according to AIS data, but remains out of contact. Marinette, sailing under the Polish flag, is still connected via Starlink and in communication, carrying a total of 6 passengers on board.
Source: Resumen Latinoamericano