This night we witnessed another brutal illegal violation of International Law as Israeli naval forces intercepted the boats of the Sumud flotilla in international waters, after attacking and intimidating the flotilla for the past four weeks. The detention of peaceful citizens of sovereign countries, activists for peace and solidarity, who are taking responsibility which the countries of the world are required to take to stop the genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people in the Occupied Territories of Gaza and the West Bank.
A solidarity vigil with the Sumud flotilla held by Partnership for Peace coalition at the Jaffa port with the participation of Hadash activists and Arab fishermen, September 19, 2025 (Photo: Zo Haderekh)
The Communist Party of Israel (CPI), in the name of its Arab and Jewish comrades and supporters, wholeheartedly conveys its warmest greetings of solidarity to the brave activists of the Sumud Flotilla, who are actively defying the siege imposed on Gaza since 18 years and seeking to break the Israeli criminal starvation of the people of Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, salutes and solidarity of their peoples – as we saw the tens of thousands of people, at late hours of night, in many cities around the world protesting this illegal act.
The international community is well practiced in exercising pressure over countries which – to its standards- commit violations or acts of aggression. We only demand to match this tool of international pressure to stop a genocide that is broadcasted live for almost 2 years now, and only accomplices of the genocide can deny.
As we welcome the continuous acts of recognition of the State of Palestine by more countries in the world – it is time to turn this recognition into actual program and steps that lay international pressure on the Israeli government to immediately halt its aggression, for every minute this war continues more women, children and civilians are massacred or starved in Gaza.
The international community is well practiced in exercising pressure over countries which – to its standards- commit violations or acts of aggression. We only demand to match this tool of international pressure to stop a genocide that is broadcasted live for almost 22 years now, and only accomplices of the genocide can deny. As we welcome the continuous acts of recognition of the State of Palestine by more countries in the world – it is time to turn this recognition into actual program and steps that lay international pressure on the Israeli government to immediately halt its aggression, for every minute this war continues more women, children and civilians are massacred or starved in Gaza.
MK Ofer Cassif (Hadash) wrote today on X, “Salute to the Sumud Flotilla and everyone on board, and shame on the miserable occupation forces that commit genocide with one hand and block humanitarian aid with the other. On Yom Kippur, there is no atonement either for those who continue committing war crimes and deny food to starving people. Release the activists! Stop the genocide!”
In addition,
Adalah, the Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, a civil rights group in Israel that is legally representing flotilla members, said in a statement that it had initially received phone calls from participants saying immigration authorities in the port of Ashdod had begun conducting detention and deportation hearings without prior notice to lawyers, but that it had later gained access.
The group assisted volunteers on past flotillas but, in a statement earlier this week, warned that given the scale and publicity of the current effort, Israel’s response could be markedly different. “Reports indicate that, ahead of the Sumud Flotilla, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has presented a plan to the cabinet to detain flotilla participants for prolonged periods — without any legal basis, even under Israeli law. These threats appear designed to deter legitimate humanitarian action and must be read considering Israeli authorities documented pattern of bypassing legal safeguards.”
