JEF Europe condemns Israel’s capture of the Global Sumud Flotilla

3 October 2025

Key points:

The Government of the State of Israel has committed violations of international law by intercepting the humanitarian flotilla transporting aid to the Gaza Strip.
JEF Europe demands the immediate release of the entirety of the members of the flotilla, the restitution of the ships and the lifting of the unlawful naval blockade of Gaza.

On Wednesday 1 October, the Israeli Defence Force illegally seized the component vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla and abducted the activists onboard. Among those abducted is also MEP Benedetta Scuderi (Greens-EFA), who is a member of the Spinelli Group.

Freedom of navigation in international waters is one of the most basic elements of International Maritime Law. This means that Israel’s actions against the humanitarian civilian flotilla is tantamount to an act of piracy. At the same time, blocking the access of humanitarian aid to a conflict zone is considered a war crime. These actions go against JEF Europe’s statutorily approved positions in support of the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza strip.

We demand the State of Israel to immediately liberate the members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, the restitution of the fleet’s vessels, and the lifting of the unlawful naval blockade it is unilaterally imposing on Gaza.

We call on the European Council to issue a strong condemnation of the Israeli action against the flotilla and to take immediate action to bring the necessary humanitarian aid and force an end to the war crimes and genocide being committed by Israel in the Gaza strip as identified by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, help build a durable peace process including an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and political prisoners and a true commitment to a commonly build future for Palestine and Israel.