On the night of 1 October, the Israeli navy, with more than 20 warships, boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters. The interception began with the ships Alma and Sirius and continued with the others. The Zionist navy kidnapped the participants, confiscated the ships and stole the humanitarian aid they were transporting to Gaza. This was an act of piracy and a blatant violation of international law. As well as an extension of the genocide perpetrated by the state of Israel against the Palestinian people of Gaza.
The frigate sent by Italy’s far-right government, under pressure from strikes and mass mobilisations, withdrew before the boarding took place. The Spanish government’s representative kept a safe distance, pressured by the public, while both governments tried to dissuade the activists.
Israel acts with impunity, displaying colonial and supremacist traits, supported by the far right and protected by the inaction of global governments. We have seen this with the unanimous support of European governments, Arab regimes, and Turkey for the ultimatum issued by Trump and Netanyahu on 29 September. Blackmailing hunger and destruction, they aim for the Palestinian resistance’s surrender, with Tony Blair as governor. He has the blood of a million deaths in the region following the 2004 invasion of Iraq. A ‘plan’ they cooked when Israel is most isolated. The pressure of mobilisation, with the protests at the Tour de France and the general strike in Italy, has caused this. It allows Netanyahu to hide the fact that his order to take Gaza City before 7 October has failed. It is the “Riviera” plan in sheep’s clothing, which once again denies the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The Sumud Global Flotilla is one of the largest in history: 50 vessels from 44 countries. Personalities such as Swedish environmental activist Greta Thumberg, Ada Colau, former mayor of Barcelona, artists, and members of parliament from different countries are on board. Thousands around the world have supported the flotilla. The IWU-FI also supported the crew, including MP Juan Carlos ‘Gringo’ Giordano, who left because of a medical emergency, and Ezequiel Peressini, both leaders of IS and the IWU-FI.
Before being detained during the boarding of the Sirius, Peressini had sent a message in case the repressive forces of Zionism boarded them. In the message, “he urged global solidarity with Palestinians and protection for the flotilla participants.
‘We also condemn the governments that have done nothing but make false statements saying they support the Palestinian people. Those who have falsely mourned the children killed in Palestine have blood on their hands for every victim of the genocidal Nazi-Zionist state of Israel.’
“We condemn the attitude of the Spanish government, which promised a ship and, four days later, has still not delivered. The Italian ships have cowardly withdrawn and abandoned us to Israel’s criminal violence.”
“We will continue to fight for a single, secular, democratic and non-racist Palestine, from the river to the sea.”
Hundreds of thousands are taking to the streets around the world to condemn Israel’s genocide, the hijacking of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the detention of all crew members. At the time of writing this statement, there were no details of the consequences of the repressive and illegal boarding by the Zionist navy. Nor was the exact location of the crew members known.
IWU-FI demands the immediate release of all flotilla members, delivery of aid, and return of ships.
An end to the genocide and illegal blockade of Gaza. The opening of an unconditional humanitarian corridor to meet the enormous needs of the entire population after two years of genocide and ethnic cleansing. All Israeli troops must leave Gaza and the West Bank.
All governments around the world must sever diplomatic, institutional, economic, sporting and cultural ties with Israel.
Stop the genocide and apartheid state! Free Palestine from the river to the sea!
International Workers Unity–Fourth International (IWU-FI)
1 October 2025
