UN expert calls Israel’s aid flotilla seizure ‘apartheid without borders’

The UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories condemned Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla on Thursday, describing the operation as “apartheid without borders.”

Albanese: ‘This should send shock waves across Europe’

In a post on the US social media platform X, Francesca Albanese wrote: “ALARM! How on earth is possible that Israel is allowed to assault and seize vessels in international waters just off Greece/Europe? Besides what you can think of Apartheid Israel and its genocidal leaders, this should send shock waves across Europe.” Her remarks came after the Israeli navy intercepted the flotilla late Wednesday as it sailed toward Gaza to challenge the longstanding naval blockade on the enclave.

21 vessels seized, 17 escape to Greek waters

Activists reported that Israeli forces surrounded the convoy in international waters near the Greek island of Crete, jammed communications, and seized 21 vessels. The flotilla said 17 boats managed to escape and enter Greek territorial waters following the incident. The convoy, carrying humanitarian aid and including roughly 100 boats with nearly 1,000 activists from multiple countries, aimed to open a maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza. Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, leaving approximately 1.5 million of Gaza’s 2.4 million people homeless after their homes were destroyed during the war.