Reportage
Israel again assaults the Global Samud Flotilla in international waters
The 52 sailing vessels taking part in the mission were carrying over 400 people from 45 countries, including several dozen Italians. What will happen to them? The presence of the same prison ship suggests the outcome may be similar to the last boarding.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has been under Israeli attack since 9 a.m. on Monday, May 19 (Italian time). As of press time on Monday night, Tel Aviv's navy commandos had managed to intercept 42 vessels carrying over 150 people – at least 12 of whom are Italian. This operation closely resembles the one carried out on April 29 and 30 off the coast of Crete, which led to the boarding of 22 boats and the detention of 181 activists.
Just like 20 days before, the Israeli military reportedly deployed four warships and a military cargo ship which will be used to hold the activists after they are arrested aboard their vessels. Using a half-dozen small assault boats, Shayetet 13 commandos took control of several Sumud vessels, tampering with their controls and capturing the crews. On multiple occasions, soldiers pointed their assault rifles at the unarmed activists, while some of the frigates came dangerously close to the sailboats before boarding them.
The attack took place once again in international waters, a full 250 miles from the coast of Gaza. The flotilla had set sail from Turkey on the morning of May 17 and had left Ankara’s territorial waters only a few hours earlier. This time, the assault took place during the day. The movement’s spokespersons stressed that this “demonstrates how Israel now acts with total impunity, and without showing any scruples whatsoever.”
The 52 sailing vessels taking part in the mission were carrying over 400 people from 45 countries, including several dozen Italians. What will happen to them? The presence of the same prison ship suggests the outcome may be similar to the last boarding. Three weeks ago, after a day and two nights in captivity, the detainees were disembarked on the coast of Crete. This time, it could be Cyprus, whose authorities – just like the Greek government – enjoy a privileged relationship with Israel. However, an article published on Monday morning in The Jerusalem Post mentioned the possibility that the detainees might be “taken to Ashdod,” meaning they could be deported to Israel. In that case, they will likely remain in Tel Aviv’s custody for several days. The Jerusalem Post also reported statements by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who described the flotilla as “a provocation for the sake of provocation.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed him and publicly praised the military personnel involved: “I think you are doing an outstanding job, both with the first flotilla and with this one, and effectively neutralizing a malicious plan designed to break the isolation we have imposed on Hamas terrorists in Gaza.”
Regardless, throughout the entire operation, the activists on board remained calm and composed. Some vessels initially tried to divert their course toward Cyprus in an effort to reach safety, but in the end the remaining free ships stubbornly continued heading toward Gaza. ”There is a great sense of determination and calm among us,” trade unionist Dario Salvetti of the former GKN plant in Florence, who is traveling aboard the Don Juan, told il manifesto. ”We know that today the task of resistance rests solely with ordinary people like us, with the workers who are part of this mission. Watching from afar as the military ships come up to the sailboats carrying our comrades, we realize that perhaps it is inevitable that things will turn out this way, and despite everything, we decide to press on. Because this is our only strength.”
Other contacts of ours barely had time to sound the alarm: “There are military ships approaching. They’re heading straight for us, as if they want to ram us,” wrote a passenger from one of the first boats intercepted. Right now, in all likelihood, he is with his fellow passengers aboard the Israeli prison ship, subjected to beatings and sleeping on the floor. That is, of course, unless someone does something about it.
That was the demand of the Italian opposition on Monday as they spoke of an “act of piracy” – from Elly Schlein of the PD to Nicola Fratoianni of the Green and Left Alliance (AVS). However, while Spain, in line with its stance on the Palestinian issue to date, immediately summoned Israeli diplomatic representative Dana Erlich to protest against an “illegal interception,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani adopted a half-hearted stance on international law: “Even if Italian citizens are detained, they must always be treated with the utmost respect for human dignity,” he said in the morning, failing to condemn the abduction of dozens of people in international waters.
Later that evening, he backtracked and, speaking from the city of Modena, called for the “immediate release” of the detained Italians. Among the activists taken prisoner is Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly. As of Monday night, the only Italian parliamentarian on board, Dario Carotenuto, was still en route: “There are Israeli navy ships all around us trying to hunt us down,” he told RadioRai in the afternoon.
The Five Star Movement (M5S), the PD and AVS have written to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging her to activate “all diplomatic channels to ensure the physical safety, legal defense, and full consular protection” of those abducted.
Originally published at https://ilmanifesto.it/assalto-alla-flotilla-in-mare-aperto-le-vele-sfidano-israele on 2026-05-19