‘Israel’ Accused of Piracy as Nine Countries Rally for Detained Flotilla Crew

Nine countries have condemned the Israeli occupation forces’ attack on the “Global Freedom Flotilla” (also known as the Steadfastness Flotilla), calling the assault a flagrant violation of international law and an act of piracy targeting civilian activists and aid workers en route to the Gaza Strip. Israeli Navy begins intercepting boats in Gaza-bound flotillaVideo circulated by Hebrew media shows Israeli Navy seizing boats of Sumud Flotilla which set sail from Turkey. pic.twitter.com/D4t6gUKDbH— Al-Manar English (@manarenglish) May 18, 2026 In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Brazil, Bangladesh, Colombia, Spain, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Pakistan, and Turkey demanded the immediate release of all detained activists, describing the attack on the aid ships as a clear disregard for international conventions and human rights. The ministers expressed grave concern for the safety and well-being of those aboard the vessels, stressing that targeting civilian ships and humanitarian efforts constitutes a blatant breach of international humanitarian law and undermines the freedom of humanitarian work. They further characterized the attack on the flotilla as reflecting the occupation’s continued defiance of international resolutions and conventions, noting that Israel’s history of intercepting aid flotillas is a growing source of concern for the international community. The joint statement called for an end to Israeli attacks at sea and demanded full respect for the legal and human rights of activists and aid workers, as international condemnation mounts over the ongoing targeting of those showing solidarity with the Palestinian people.