Seyma Erkul Dayanc and Necva Tastan Sevinc
30 April 2026•Update: 30 April 2026
- 'The position of France should be to demand the release of the hostages and to immediately send a humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza, as was done in past conflicts' says French lawmaker Alma Dufour
French lawmakers strongly denounced Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla and detaining over 180 activists as an “abduction” in international waters.
“By arresting this flotilla, Israel has once again violated international law,” French Member of the European Parliament Melissa Camara told Anadolu in a written response.
Israeli forces surrounded vessels traveling with the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of the Greek island of Crete late Wednesday, detaining more than 180 activists and seizing 21 boats, according to organizers.
The group says the mission is carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and aims to challenge Israel’s longstanding naval blockade of the territory.
Camara argued that the vessels were sailing in international waters, "clearly not under Israeli jurisdiction."
"What happened is, in fact, an act of abduction targeting individuals whose sole aim was to provide humanitarian aid," she said.
“I call on all States to assume their responsibilities, by imposing sanctions on Israel, suspending the EU-Israel association agreement and putting an end to the atrocities,” she added.
Camara, a member of the Greens/European Free Alliance, also stressed that flotilla missions aimed to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians.
“They are not alone, we stand with them, and we will continue to apply pressure,” she said, referring to her participation in a previous humanitarian flotilla in 2025.
Release hostages
Alma Dufour, a lawmaker from France's opposition party La France Insoumise, or Unbowed, also strongly condemned the operation, calling it a "manifest violation of international law" and "a kidnapping in international waters."
“This interception is a manifest violation of international law. It is a kidnapping in international waters and a serious endangerment of participants,” Dufour told Anadolu in a written response.
She warned that those on board had been left at risk as "a major storm approached."
All states should condemn Israel's actions and demand the immediate release of those detained, she added.
Dufour also criticized the French government, saying that Paris has "not yet said anything" and is one of the "least prompt" European countries to defend international law and its citizens, referring to the detention of French citizens.
“The position of France should be to demand the release of the hostages and to immediately send a humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza, as was done in past conflicts,” she said.
She warned the incident marked a “dangerous precedent,” saying it reflected a growing sense of impunity and arguing that Israel is “violating” international law.
“We warn that detainees could be subjected to torture upon arrival,” she added, calling the situation “a violation of the entirety of international law.”
The situation is taking place in a larger regional context of escalating tensions, Dufour said, adding that stronger measures are required.
“We must respond with severe economic and diplomatic sanctions and with the deployment of peacekeeping forces,” she said.
French authorities have confirmed that 15 French nationals are among those detained, including Paris city councillor Raphaelle Primet.
“Our priority is to provide them with the consular protection they need,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux said, adding that consular services are in contact with those affected so they can “return to France as soon as possible.”
Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, leaving the territory’s 2.4 million population on the verge of starvation.
The Israeli army launched a two-year brutal offensive on Gaza in October 2023, killing more than 72,000 people, injuring over 172,000, and causing massive destruction across the besieged territory.
