Palestine: Alkarama and Several NGOs Denounce an Act of State Piracy by Israel and Demand the Immediate Release of the Resilience Flotilla Activists

The signatory organizations express their strong indignation and firmly reject the operation carried out on the evening of Tuesday, October 1, by Israeli occupation forces, who forcibly intercepted and detained civilian ships of the Resilience Flotilla while they were sailing in international waters. These vessels were heading towards the Gaza Strip as part of a humanitarian mission aimed at breaking the blockade, carrying nearly 500 activists from more than fifty countries. 

Such an act constitutes a clear violation of freedom of navigation and, under international law, amounts to an act of piracy committed by an occupying power, showing total disregard for the safety of hundreds of activists. 

This attack is part of a continuing policy of collective punishment carried out by the occupation against any humanitarian initiative seeking to end the illegal blockade imposed on Gaza. 

Position and Legal Condemnation 

The signatory organizations strongly condemn this criminal act. The capture of unarmed civilians on the high seas represents a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and a serious infringement of human rights and fundamental principles of international law, illustrating once again Israel’s disregard for international legality. 

Demands and Actions Requested 

While holding the occupation authorities fully and directly responsible for the safety and physical integrity of all passengers, as well as for any harm or cases of enforced disappearance that may occur, we make the following requests: 

1. Immediate protection and release: Ensure the safety of all flotilla participants and proceed without delay or conditions to their release, along with the release of the seized vessels;

2. Resumption of navigation: Allow the ships to continue on their original route to Gaza to deliver the humanitarian aid on board;

3. Implementation of international accountability: Launch an independent investigation, under the authority or support of the International Criminal Court, to document the act of piracy and violations of international humanitarian law and prosecute those responsible;

4. Referral to the Security Council: Request an urgent convening of the United Nations Security Council to examine this crime, which endangers international peace and security;

5. Diplomatic action: Call on the states of which the activists are nationals to intervene immediately to protect their citizens from risks of torture or enforced disappearance. 

The impunity enjoyed by the occupation has encouraged the repetition of such serious acts, placing the international community before its duty to fully assume its legal and moral responsibilities. Remaining silent in the face of such violations is tantamount to becoming complicit and endorsing a state act of piracy in complete breach of international law. 

Signatory Organizations 

1. Free Voice for Human Rights – France 

2. Association of Torture Victims – Geneva 

3. Alkarama for Human Rights – Geneva 

4. Justice Foundation for Human Rights – Istanbul 

5. IFDI International – Belgium 

6. Al Shehab for Human Rights – London 

7. Tawasol for Human Rights – The Hague 

8. Human Rights Monitor – London 

9. Cedar for Human Rights – Lebanon 

10. Al-Tadamun for Human Rights – Geneva 

11. Council for the Rights of Egyptians – Geneva 

12. Arab Observatory for Press and Media 

13. Freedom Najda 

14. Foundation Moroccan Organization for Human Rights – Rabat, Morocco (AMDH) 

15. SAM for Rights and Liberties – Geneva