This intervention against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and to show solidarity with the Palestinian people struggling to survive under Israel’s blockade, cannot be justified under any circumstances. This attack against civilians, humanitarian volunteers, trade union representatives, and human rights defenders in international waters is a clear act of lawlessness and piracy.

The detention of 175 activists by Israel, including 10 trade union activists affiliated with Memur-Sen, a member organization of the ILC, is not merely an attack on the freedom of these individuals. It is also an attempt to silence the growing global will of solidarity against the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza.

Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza, its policy of collective punishment, and its attacks targeting civilians continue to trample on human dignity before the eyes of the international community. Today’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla is yet another manifestation of this systematic oppression at sea.

As the ILC, we state clearly:

Delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza is not a crime.
Opposing the blockade is not a crime.
Defending the right to life of civilians is not a crime.
Detaining activists who represent the conscience of humanity in international waters is a grave violation of law.

All detained activists must be released immediately and unconditionally.

We call on the entire international community, the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, human rights institutions, and all labour organizations not to remain silent in the face of this unlawful intervention. Silence means complicity in Israel’s piracy and in its policy of collective punishment against the people of Gaza.

As the ILC, we stand with the Palestinian people, with Gaza, and with the Sumud volunteers who carry the conscience of humanity.

Long live international solidarity!
Long live free Palestine!
End the blockade, release the activists immediately!