IWU-FI Press, 2 October 2025
Since October 1, the Zionist Israeli Navy has kidnapped the flotilla participants, confiscated the 50 vessels, and stolen the humanitarian aid they were transporting to Gaza. This is a full-fledged act of piracy and a blatant violation of international law. Another extension of the genocide perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people of Gaza.
Over 400 detainees include Greta Thunberg, Thiago Avila, Liam Cunningham, Eduard Fernandez, European legislators, Ada Colau, and activists from 44 countries.
Among them is Ezequiel Peressini, a leader of the Socialist Left (IS) in Argentina, a member of the Left Front (FIT-U) and the International Workers’ Unity-Fourth International (IWU-FI). He was a provincial deputy for IS in the Left Front in Córdoba from 2015 to 2019. He then developed international activity in Peru, collaborating with former Peruvian National Deputy Enrique Fernández Chacon. From 2021 to 2024, he lived in Santiago de Chile, working with the MST (Socialist Workers’ Movement) in Chile, a section of the IWU-FI.
In June 2025, he was in Panama supporting the last general strike and large mobilizations with the Socialist Proposal party.
As of today, 2 October, there is no reliable information on the status of detainees. Adalah, a Palestinian organisation that provides legal support to the flotilla participants, has received information that immigration authorities have already begun holding hearings on their deportation and detention orders at the port of Ashdod. These proceedings were initiated without prior notice to their lawyers and denied the participants access to legal counsel.
This constitutes a serious violation of due process and a denial of the participants’ fundamental rights. Adalah has announced that it will continue to seek access and will pursue legal action.
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. Italy is holding a general strike on 3 Friday, with mass demos in Madrid and Barcelona, and marches worldwide.
IWU-FI demands the immediate release of Ezequiel Peressini and all kidnapped flotilla members.
All governments of the world must sever diplomatic, institutional, economic, sports, and cultural relations with Israel.
We demand the genocide ends right now! Free Palestine from the river to the sea!
International Workers’ Unity – Fourth International (IWU-FI)
2 October 2025
