13 Countries Condemn Israeli Attack on Global Samood Fleet in International Waters
A coalition of 13 countries issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli forces’ attack on the global “Samood” fleet and the detention of activists aboard it as a “clear violation” of international laws and maritime conventions. These countries emphasized that the incident occurred in international waters near the coast of Greece.
The foreign ministers of Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, South Africa, and Spain strongly condemned Israel’s April 30 action in the harshest terms. They described the Samood fleet as a non-military and peaceful initiative aimed at drawing attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The statement also expressed concern about the condition and immunity of the activists still in detention and called on Israeli authorities to facilitate their “immediate and unconditional” release.
The foreign ministers of these countries further urged the international community to fulfill its ethical and legal responsibilities in upholding international law, protecting civilians, and ensuring accountability for such incidents.
Earlier, Francesca Albanis, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, described the seizure of the global Samood fleet’s ships in international waters as “borderless apartheid,” a phrase that has resonated widely within human rights circles.
