Mamdani condemns Israel’s capture of Gaza flotilla activists
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called for the release of activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla in the Mediterranean near Crete. israeli troops boarded more than 20 vessels carrying about 175 activists affiliated with the Global Sumud flotilla, which had departed Barcelona with the aim of challenging Israel’s blockade and delivering humanitarian aid; Mamdani said some New yorkers were among those detained.
Most detainees have as been freed,but two-Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila-remain in Israeli custody. Israel’s foreign ministry said they are suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization and of illegal activity, while Greece said it is coordinating with Israel to help facilitate a safe return. Israel defended the operation as necessary and conducted “peacefully,” saying it prevented any breach of the blockade, while flotilla organizers argued the mission was to oppose what they call an illegal blockade and press for humanitarian access into Gaza.
The incident has led to protests in several cities, and international leaders including Spain and Italy have condemned the action and urged releases. In the background, organizers and commentators have described the flotilla effort as part of repeated attempts to reach Gaza; Israel previously deported more than 470 people during an earlier attempt, which drew global attention.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is calling for the release of activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla.
Israeli forces boarded more than 20 vessels carrying about 175 activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea near Crete. The group had sailed from Barcelona, Spain, earlier this month, aiming to challenge the blockade and deliver humanitarian aid. Several New Yorkers were among those detained, according to Mamdani.
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“My team has been in direct contact … to confirm the whereabouts and conditions of these New Yorkers,” Mamdani said on X, calling the operation a “brazen violation of international law” and urging the activists’ release.
Most detainees have since been freed, but two, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, remain in Israeli custody. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said they are “suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organization” and “suspected of illegal activity,” respectively.
Greece said it is coordinating with Israel to facilitate the activists’ return, noting it is “in consultation … regarding safe disembarkation.”
Israel defended the operation as necessary to enforce what it called a lawful blockade, saying “an early action was required” and that the boarding was conducted “peacefully and without any casualties.”
In a separate statement, Israeli officials described the flotilla as “another provocation” and reiterated that “Israel will not allow the breach of the lawful naval blockade on Gaza.”
Flotilla organizers said their mission was to “challenge Israel’s illegal blockade” and push for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The incident has sparked protests in Rome, Istanbul, and Athens, Greece, on Thursday.
At the same time, some global leaders condemned the Israeli navy’s action.
Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez accused Israel of “violating international law,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for the immediate release of “all the unlawfully detained Italians.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Board of Peace said it is working on plans for Gaza’s recovery, including steps toward disarmament and governance transition to “accelerate aid and rebirth.”
It also supported Israel’s capture of the flotilla, calling it a “performative love-boat activism of people who know nothing of and care even less for the condition of Gazans.”
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“It is distasteful to trade on the misery of people to build your social media profile,” it said, adding that activists should instead pressure Hamas to rebuild the communities it “destroyed.”
The latest confrontation is the second attempt by the Global Sumud Flotilla to break the Gaza blockade. Less than a year ago, Israel deported more than 470 people, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
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