During the night of 29–30 April, the Gaza flotilla was attacked by the Israeli army. Twenty-two boats were attacked, along with their crews – that is, nearly 200 people. This took place in international waters, demonstrating that the State of Israel respects nothing: it attacks, kidnaps, imprisons, imposes the death penalty on Palestinians, and perpetuates genocide… The flotilla once again highlights the complicity of the international powers: whilst they have a legal duty to protect the flotilla, they do the opposite; they facilitate the attacks against it. The Greek state has thus admitted to cooperating with Israel during this attack, just as the major powers are complicit in the genocide of Palestinians through arms sales and economic, academic and cultural exchanges, etc.
Two prominent figures from the flotilla, Saif Abu Kesher and Thiago Ávila, were taken to Israel for questioning, imprisoned and, according to press reports, tortured. They are accused of “membership of a terrorist organisation”.
The flotilla intends to resume its journey, the aim of which is to provide humanitarian and political aid to the Palestinians, to break the illegal blockade of Gaza and to help draw the world’s attention to the resistance of the Palestinian people.
The Fourth International calls for international mobilisation and for pressure to be brought to bear on governments to secure:
- the immediate release of Saif and Thiago
- protection of the flotilla against Israeli attacks
sanctions against IsraelIt continues its struggle for the liberation of Palestine, the right of return, and an end to Israeli and US imperialist aggression in the region.
May 5, 2026