London, 18th May 2026 – Israeli military vessels have intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Cyprus in international waters. It is yet another egregious violation of international law and a total disregard for the law of the sea. Israel’s repeated violations of aid flotillas and their activists requires a total condemnation and tangible action from governments whose citizens have had their rights continually violated by Israeli soldiers and officials.
The interception and unlawful detention of non-violent humanitarian activists, which included armed Israeli commandos climbing on to several boats, is an act of illegal piracy intended to maintain Israel’s genocidal and unlawful siege on Gaza. The normalisation of the occupation and Israel’s total disregard for international law is a threat to us all. At least eight British citizens have reportedly been intercepted, including Esme Nickerson, Hasnain Jafer, Peter William Henderson, Richard Johan Anderson, Hugh Stuart Stirling, Cerie Bullivant, Dáša Raimanová and Veronica Otero Guillen.
Israel’s recent detention of the flotilla’s leaders, Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian national Thiago Ávila – who were allegedly tortured and abused in Israeli detention, was yet another example in the long list of Israel’s acts of impunity that deliberately maintain its genocide in Gaza and brutal apartheid across occupied Palestine.
The Global Sumud Flotilla’s humanitarian missions have become a necessary act in the face of deliberate Israeli restrictions on the import of aid, critical spare parts, back-up generators and other equipment, with the UN saying such missions are being continually undermined by Israel’s policies. Whilst Israel has intercepted the flotilla multiple times, some of the ships remain on their mission to deliver aid.
Órlaith Roe, ICJP’s Public Affairs and Communications Officer, said:
“How many times must we say it – Israel’s interception and detention of humanitarian aid flotillas and their activists headed to Gaza is a total unlawful, illegal, and egregious violation of international laws. The lack of any kind of meaningful response from international governments, whose citizens are continually detained and abused by Israeli forces who illegally board the boats in international waters, is astounding.
It is hard not to ignore the blatantly obvious double standards when it comes to humanitarian missions intended for Palestinians suffering under Israeli occupation, and those of other conflicts.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
For more information, to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected].
Image: C messier via Wikimedia Commons