European Lawmakers Demand Release of Gaza Aid Flotilla Activists

Over 80 European parliamentarians have issued a joint statement condemning Israel's interception of the humanitarian aid convoy Global Sumud Flotilla and demanding the immediate release of all remaining volunteers. The lawmakers, representing both the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, characterized the flotilla's mission as peaceful and Israel's actions as illegal.

The parliamentary statement asserted that the flotilla "did not carry weapons, it carried hope" and described the Israeli Navy's interception on October 1 as a "blatant breach of international law." The lawmakers expressed particular concern over treatment of detainees, citing reports of "lack of essential medicines, inadequate food and water, unsanitary conditions, humiliation, denial of counsel and consular access."

The European legislators urged their respective governments to secure the "immediate, unconditional release" of detained volunteers and ensure they receive medical care and legal assistance. They further called for an independent international investigation into the incident and reaffirmed the "inviolability of humanitarian missions," echoing similar demands from Amnesty International and UN human rights experts.

Sena Nur Celik Kanat, an AK Party lawmaker from Istanbul, highlighted the declaration's broader significance, noting it calls for accountability for war crimes in Gaza. She told Anadolu that "unfortunately, today many European governments still refrain from even acknowledging that war crimes—let alone genocide—are being committed in Gaza," adding that the declaration clearly references ethnic cleansing and genocide against Gaza's civilian population.

While some flotilla participants have been deported to countries including Türkiye, Greece, and Slovakia, many remain detained in Israeli high-security facilities. The lawmakers' statement warned that detaining and prosecuting these humanitarian volunteers effectively "criminalize[s] compassion" and represents an attack on humanitarian missions.