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SvennoJ on 01 October 2025
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‘This is kidnapping’: Freedom Flotilla Coalition slams Israel’s interception of aid ships

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which has tried to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza itself seven times, has accused Israel of attacking the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and abducting those on board.

In a statement on X, the group said: “People of conscience have been abducted. The flotilla broke no laws. What is illegal is Israel’s genocide, Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza, and Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon.”

The coalition described the incident as “piracy” and “kidnapping”, saying: “Unarmed people of conscience, abducted in international waters. This is piracy. This is kidnapping. The flotilla did not break any laws.

“What is unlawful is: genocide, the deadly blockade of Gaza, the use of starvation as a weapon of war, and the piracy of civilian vessels and abduction of all those on board.”

The statement urged supporters to pressure governments to act, writing: “Demand your government cut ties with Israel.”

Greta Thunberg among activists taken by Israeli military after flotilla interception

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been taken by Israeli forces after the interception of vessels from the Gaza aid flotilla.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on X that “several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” adding: “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.”

The ministry also shared a video showing Thunberg being escorted away. Israel has provided no substantive evidence to support the claim the flotilla is linked to Hamas.

Activists have called the interception illegal and “piracy”.



Freedom Flotillas: A history of attempts to break Israel’s siege of Gaza

Several Freedom Flotilla vessels since 2008 have attempted to break the blockade of Gaza, which was imposed by Israel since 2007, maintaining strict control over Gaza’s airspace and territorial waters, while restricting the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza.

Here is a list of attempts by different flotillas over the past 18 years to break the siege.

  • In 2008, two boats from the Free Gaza Movement successfully reached Gaza, marking the first break of Israel’s naval blockade.
  • Israeli commandos in 2010 raided the Mavi Marmara in international waters. The assault killed 10 activists and injured dozens, leading to global outrage. The ship was carrying humanitarian aid and more than 600 passengers.
  • Freedom Flotilla II was launched in 2011 as a follow-up to the 2010 mission. However, intense diplomatic pressure from Israel, coupled with reported sabotage of ships and restrictions by host countries like Greece, prevented most boats from departing.
  • In 2015, Freedom Flotilla III was launched as the third major attempt by international activists to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, organised by the FFC. Israeli naval forces intercepted the Marianne about 100 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, in international waters. Commandos boarded the ship and diverted it to Ashdod.
  • The 2018 Gaza Freedom Flotilla – was part of a continued effort by the FFC to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. The campaign included two main vessels, Al Awda (The Return) and Freedom, both which were intercepted and seized by the Israeli navy in international waters.
  • In May, the Conscience was struck twice by armed drones, just 14 nautical miles (25km) off the coast of Malta. The attack triggered a fire and caused a significant breach in the hull, forcing the 30 Turkish and Azeri activists on board into a desperate effort to bail out water and keep the ship afloat.