World protests Israel’s raid on Gaza flotilla
From Rome’s rail hubs to Islamabad’s press clubs, from Ankara’s parliament to Pretoria’s Union Buildings, protests have erupted worldwide after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters
LONDON (MNTV) – The fallout from Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla is reverberating across continents, drawing protests from Rome to Islamabad, and prompting governments to summon ambassadors, suspend trade deals, and demand the release of detained nationals.
The convoy of more than 40 boats, carrying some 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, activists, and humanitarian workers, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, was seized Wednesday as it sailed through international waters toward the besieged Gaza Strip.
In Italy, the response was immediate and loud. Thousands of demonstrators poured into major cities, filling Rome’s central Termini station and chanting “Let’s block everything.” Protesters unfurled Palestinian flags and carried banners calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza. The disruption forced authorities to close metro stops and restrict access to the station.
Marches swept through Milan, Turin, Genoa, Naples, Pisa, and Bologna. In Naples and Pisa, pro-Palestinian activists briefly occupied train platforms, halting rail traffic. Bologna saw thousands marching under red-green flags, chanting “Free Gaza, Free Palestine.”
Local media estimated 10,000 protesters joined the Rome rally alone. Italian trade unions, already active in pro-Palestinian solidarity actions, announced a fresh strike in support of the flotilla. Last month, workers at several Italian ports had staged strikes to block shipments of arms bound for Israel.
Italian television speculated on the fate of Italian lawmakers who joined the flotilla. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her government would work to ensure their safe return, though she criticized the flotilla as “not helpful” to the Palestinian people. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters that Israel had assured him there would be “no violent actions” against Italian citizens.
Pakistan: calls for release of a former senator
In Islamabad, hundreds braved scorching afternoon heat to gather outside the National Press Club. Organized by the Pak Palestine Forum and the Palestine Action Coalition Pakistan, the protest drew students, journalists, women, children, and religious scholars.
Placards read: “Break the siege of Gaza” and “Humanitarian aid is not a crime.” Protesters demanded the release of Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a former senator and senior leader of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami party, who was among those detained.
Speakers accused Israel of committing “piracy on the high seas” and urged Pakistan’s government to raise the issue at the United Nations. “We cannot stand silent when humanitarian activists are abducted,” said forum spokesperson Ayesha Siddiqua. “This is about international law, not just Palestine.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, condemned the raid as a “dastardly attack” and prayed for the safe release of Pakistani nationals. He called for “peace to be given a chance” and demanded that humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaza.
South Africa: Mandela’s grandson among detainees
Perhaps the most symbolic reaction came from South Africa, where President Cyril Ramaphosa denounced the raid as the “abduction” of activists, including Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela.
“South Africa cannot be silent when our citizens and citizens of the world are seized in international waters,” Ramaphosa told reporters. He demanded their immediate release and said Israel’s action “trampled on international law.”
At least six South Africans were on board the flotilla, which carried humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the UN has warned famine is taking hold. Ramaphosa said the convoy symbolized global solidarity with Palestinians and blasted Israel for “criminalizing humanitarianism.”
The African National Congress (ANC) organized vigils outside parliament in Cape Town. Placards carried images of Nelson Mandela and quotes from his speeches linking South Africa’s liberation struggle with Palestinian rights.
Colombia: expelling diplomats
Colombian President Gustavo Petro delivered one of the strongest rebukes. Announcing the expulsion of Israeli diplomats and the suspension of a bilateral free trade agreement, Petro said Israel’s actions were incompatible with international law.
“Colombia must pursue every legal avenue, including through Israeli courts, to secure the return of its citizens,” Petro said in a televised address. He accused Israel of “suffocating Gaza while kidnapping humanitarian activists.”
The move signaled a dramatic escalation in Colombia-Israel relations, already strained since the Gaza war intensified last year. Petro had previously cut security cooperation with Israel over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Belgium: summoning the ambassador
In Brussels, Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said Israel’s actions were “unacceptable” and summoned the Israeli ambassador. Speaking in parliament, Prevot said: “The manner in which they were boarded and the location in international waters are unacceptable, which is why I summoned the ambassador.”
Belgium has a sizable Palestinian community and has been vocal in calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Local media noted that several Belgian parliamentarians were among those detained in the flotilla.
Turkey: Erdogan vows protection
In Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of “banditry” and vowed to protect Turkish citizens aboard the flotilla. Addressing members of his ruling AK Party, Erdogan said: “This government of Netanyahu has no intention of letting hopes for peace grow. Türkiye supports all passengers of hope aboard the flotilla. We are taking measures to protect our citizens.”
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry called the raid “an act of terrorism” that endangered innocent lives. Protests erupted outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul, where demonstrators burned Israeli flags and chanted slogans against the blockade of Gaza.
Malaysia: pressure on allies
In Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that 23 Malaysians were detained. He said his government would press international allies, including the United States, to demand their release.
“Israel has trampled not only the rights of the Palestinian people but also the conscience of the world,” Anwar said in a video message. He promised to raise the issue with Middle Eastern leaders and at international forums.
Malaysian activists rallied outside the US embassy, carrying banners reading “Free Gaza” and “Release our citizens.”
United Kingdom and Europe: concern for citizens
The UK Foreign Office said it was “very concerned” about the interception, confirming that British citizens were on board. “The aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza,” a spokesperson said.
In France, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs demanded access to French citizens and called for their swift return. Opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused the government of being too soft, calling the raid “piracy against the Global Sumud Flotilla.”
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez demanded guarantees for the safety of Spanish citizens, while Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins accused Israel of blocking essential aid. Germany urged Israel to act with proportionality and guarantee consular access. Greece issued a joint statement with Italy calling for detainee protection.
The United Nations: warning of deepened blockade
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the raid, saying it widened Israel’s unlawful blockade of Gaza.
“As the occupying power, Israel must ensure food and medical supplies for the population to the fullest extent of the means available, or agree to impartial humanitarian relief schemes delivered rapidly and without hindrance,” said spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan.
The UN urged Israel to respect the rights of detainees, including their right to challenge the legality of their detention.
United States: political pressure grows
In Washington, the Biden administration faced pressure from lawmakers. Twenty Democratic legislators signed a letter urging the White House to act. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) accused Israel of “piracy in international waters” and called for international action.
Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s deputy executive director, said: “Every nation that pays lip service to international law should condemn this illegal attack and take their own steps to forcibly break the siege of Gaza.”
Broader context: echoes of past flotillas
The raid has revived memories of the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid ship, sparking a diplomatic crisis with Turkey. Analysts say Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla could trigger a similar wave of diplomatic ruptures.
The flotilla’s name, “Sumud” — Arabic for steadfastness — was chosen to emphasize Palestinian resilience. Organisers said the convoy carried food, medicine, and other essential supplies for Gaza’s population of 2.2 million, where the UN has reported widespread hunger and collapsing health services.
Global protests: from Athens to Buenos Aires
Beyond government responses, the streets of cities worldwide have seen solidarity demonstrations.
In Athens, protesters clashed with police outside the Israeli embassy.
In Buenos Aires, demonstrators lit red flares and carried banners reading “Stop the Siege of Gaza.”
In Berlin, thousands gathered at Alexanderplatz, demanding Germany cut arms sales to Israel.
In Madrid, protesters marched with Palestinian flags, chanting “Israel terrorist state.”
In New York, activists gathered outside the UN headquarters, calling for an international investigation.
Organisers: “Unlawful abduction”
The Global Sumud Flotilla organisation described the raid as an “unlawful abduction.” In a statement, they said: “Our ships were in international waters. We were delivering humanitarian aid. Israel’s actions are illegal and unjustifiable.”
They reported that live streams from several vessels were cut as Israeli forces boarded, and that activists from 44 countries were taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Legal experts argue the interception could amount to a violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation in international waters. “Unless there was a clear threat, Israel had no legal basis to seize these ships,” said Professor Helen Duffy, an international law scholar at Leiden University.
Diplomats predict more fallout in coming days. Italy’s unions plan another general strike. Colombia’s expulsion of Israeli diplomats may encourage other Latin American nations to follow suit. South Africa is preparing to take the matter to the International Court of Justice, according to ANC officials.
The flotilla crisis has added another layer of pressure on Israel’s government, already facing international criticism over Gaza. As protests spread and capitals issue rebukes, analysts say the raid risks deepening Israel’s isolation.
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