Jo Harper
01 May 2026•Update: 01 May 2026
Dozens of protesters gathered Thursday outside the Israeli embassy in the Polish capital Warsaw to denounce Israel’s detention of a Gaza-bound aid vessel carrying an international crew that included a Polish citizen.
Participants held Palestinian flags and banners saying “Free the flotilla” and “Let humanitarian aid through” while chanting slogans against Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Organizers said the demonstration was called in response to reports that the vessel, identified by activists as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, had been intercepted by Israeli forces in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Polish media outlets including Onet and RMF FM reported that a Polish woman was among those detained on board. Her identity has not been officially confirmed by authorities.
A spokesperson for Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters that consular services were aware of the situation and were seeking further information from Israeli authorities.
“We are monitoring the case and remain in contact with the relevant diplomatic channels,” the ministry said in a brief statement carried by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
The protesters in Warsaw accused Israel of violating international law by detaining a civilian vessel carrying humanitarian aid.
“This is about basic human rights and freedom of movement,” one organizer told local media, adding the presence of a Polish citizen heightened the urgency of the issue domestically.
Israel has long maintained that its naval blockade of Gaza is a security measure aimed at preventing weapons smuggling to militant groups in the enclave.
Israeli officials have not yet issued detailed public comments on the reported interception of the Sumud vessel.
The demonstration in Warsaw remained peaceful, with a visible police presence monitoring the gathering. Activists said further protests could follow if those detained are not released.
