End the Blockade – No More Excuses
Criminal Complicity: Our World’s Inaction on the Abduction and Abuse of Flotilla Activists
This week, over 420 human rights activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla were kidnapped by Israeli authorities in international waters, transported to a prison, and treated in a humiliating, degrading, and abusive way. The activists were attempting to bring humanitarian aid and break the blockade of Gaza. As the IDF began boarding their vessels, these unarmed civilians called nearby Cypriot authorities to help them. No help came. Cyprus says that no calls reached them as Israel jammed the signals. The Israeli Minister for National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, was so proud of Israel’s criminal actions against these activists that he published a video on social media where he taunted the detained activists as they were bent prostrate on the floor before him with their hands behind their backs.
Many countries have condemned Israel’s actions. But none have done anything concrete to stop this from happening again. Israel has blockaded Gaza by land, air, and sea since 2007, after Hamas came to power in 2006. This is why for many years people have called Gaza an open prison. We all know this – none of this is news to anyone. But I think we do tend to forget that this blockade would not be possible without the acquiescence and silent support of the international community.
Our World is Complicit
The land blockade of Gaza would be impossible if Egypt didn’t agree to it. And the maritime blockade of Gaza would be impossible if European countries didn’t support it. Can you imagine what would happen if another country in North Africa boarded vessels belonging to humanitarian organisations and abducted their crews? I’m not sure what form the response would take, but I suspect it would be swift and brutal.
Since 2008, various human rights organisations and campaigners for Palestine have sent boats to Gaza in protest of the blockade and to bring vital supplies to people in Gaza. Since 2010, Israel has intercepted or attacked all flotillas headed to Gaza. In their assault on the Mavi Marmara, 10 peaceful activists were killed, while dozens of others were injured.
If you’ve been watching the news, you’ll know that some of those detained this week have bruises to show how badly they have been treated. Others have reported sexual assaults, including rape. It’s absolutely disgusting. This treatment is inexcusable. And unfortunately, it only hints at how bad the treatment is that Palestinians experience in Israeli detention. (Here is a link to an opinion piece in the NYT detailing horrific and sexually degrading treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons – https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/opinion/israel-palestinians-sexual-violence.html )
Our human rights are only guaranteed when it’s convenient?
For ordinary people around the world who have watched in horror as people, children, and babies were shot down, burned to death, or left to die in ghastly circumstances, this has been one of the biggest lessons of genocide in Gaza. Political leaders may sincerely and vehemently condemn what Israel is doing. But they do nothing to stop it happening again and again and again. Why? Do they see Palestinians as being different from other people? I don’t think so. I think they are sincere when they express disgust and opposition to what Israel is doing. But they do nothing. And I think the reason is jaw-droppingly plain – it’s just not convenient right now to do anything about it. We’d like to help. We would. It’s just… [shrugs]
It’s funny – feeling-wise – how this seems to tie into the cost of living crisis and housing crisis and healthcare crisis in this country. It’s just not possible to fix these things because… well, it’s just not really convenient right now to do all that is necessary to fix these things and… you know, it’s really going to ruffle some feathers…
A genocide is obviously exponentially worse than finding it hard to make ends meet, getting to see a doctor, or finding a place to live you can afford. And I hope no one thinks I am trying to equate the two, really. What I’m trying to say is that it feels like the responses by our political representatives to these issues are very similar. They talk about these situations like they are terrible – but ultimately, beyond their control. And that simply isn’t the case.
The Blockade has been going on for 19 years
There are definite things that could be done to truly end the genocide in Gaza. Countries need to insist on an end to the blockade of Gaza. It’s been going on for 19 years. How have we let that happen? It’s never going to be convenient to stop trading with Israel and apply sanctions so that its siege of Gaza, and its oppression of Palestinians ends. It’s never going to be convenient until we do it – and then ask ourselves why didn’t we do this years ago when it could have saved everyone from so much unnecessary suffering and death.
Don’t just condemn Israel’s treatment of Global Sumud Activists – Act Now to End the Blockade, once and for all – for Everyone
End the blockade. Do it now. Don’t just condemn—act now to end the blockade.
If you do not, you are sending a clear message to ordinary people that we cannot count on our political leaders to safeguard our most basic human rights.
And if you are a global company who can’t understand why your sales have dropped over the last couple of years, is your company on the BDS list? That’s probably the reason. Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel: https://bdsmovement.net. Israel is not going to change course unless forced to. It’s beyond time that this happened.
Thank you to all the activists who sailed on the flotillas – all of them. What you’re doing matters and I really admire your bravery.
Let’s make that bravery count. Let’s see some real justice for Palestinians. Stop the genocide. End the blockade. End the Apartheid system. Let peace and justice be given a real chance.