Global Sumud Flotilla shines a light on Gaza despite Israeli interception - Tutu Trust
This video grab taken from a livestream broadcasted on October 1, 2025 by the Global Sumud Flotilla shows a view of the boats of the flotilla aiming at breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel's foreign ministry on October 1, 2025 said Israel had halted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza, which aimed to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Image: Handout / Global Sumud Flotilla / AFP
The Global Sumud Flotilla may not have reached its goal of getting desperately needed aid to Gaza after being intercepted by Israeli warships, but it has more than achieved its goal of keeping the world’s spotlight on the plight of Palestinians, says the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Intellectual Property Trust.
Trust chair, Dr Mamphela Ramphele saluted the organisers and sailors of the Global Sumud Flotilla for their brave contribution to keeping the flames of compassion flickering around Gaza despite the Israeli Defence Force’s attacks.
“The fact that the interception was carried out in international waters is but the latest example of Israel’s impunity for international law – for which it is not held accountable due largely to being protected by the US (and its dwindling group of EU friends) at the United Nations.
The first vessel "Sirius" of a civilian flotilla, carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid and aiming to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, leaves the Barcelona.
Image: Lluis GENE / AFP
“We say to the genocidaires controlling Israel: Treat the sailors you have abducted or imprisoned off the flotilla, including our own Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, with respect, and return them to their loved ones with the utmost care. They are heroes who represent the spirit of billions of citizens of more than 150 nations around the world who recognised the State of Palestine at the United Nations last week,” Ramphele said.
The Trust called on South Africa’s government to show moral consistency.
“Its courage in laying charges of genocide against Israel at the ICJ is diluted by continuing diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries,” Ramphele said.
The Israeli foreign ministry said on Thursday it would deport to Europe pro-Palestinian activists on board vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla.
"Hamas-Sumud passengers on their yachts are making their way safely and peacefully to Israel, where their deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health," the ministry said on X, after Israeli naval forces intercepted several vessels sailing towards Gaza.
Activist and grandson of Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela, is among the activists who were intercepted. He prerecorded a message in case of interception by Israel, saying: "I'm a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. If you are receiving this video, it means that we have been intercepted and have been abducted by the state of apartheid Israel. I call you to request our government to exert pressure for my immediate release."
In a statement, the Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces ambushed the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, detaining some of the delegates and attacking the vessels with drones and water cannons.
"These actions represent yet another attempt to silence voices of solidarity and to prevent even the smallest lifeline of relief from reaching Gaza. This is illegal under international law," the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement.
The organisation emphasised that the flotilla's mission was purely humanitarian and peaceful.
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