Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla has drawn sharp condemnation from several governments, with Belgium, Qatar, and Colombia among the most outspoken critics.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Thursday he had summoned the Israeli ambassador after the flotilla’s vessels were seized in international waters. “The manner in which they were boarded and the location are unacceptable,” Prévot told lawmakers, calling the operation a violation of international law.
Qatar also issued a statement denouncing the seizures as a “flagrant violation of international law and maritime safety.” Doha demanded the “immediate release” of all detained participants and urged an urgent investigation into the incident.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro went even further, announcing the expulsion of Israel’s entire diplomatic mission and the termination of a free trade agreement. In a series of posts on social media, Petro called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “worldwide criminal” and vowed to pursue international lawsuits against Israel. Two Colombian nationals were among the flotilla passengers detained.
Israel, meanwhile, has defended its actions, saying the flotilla was a “provocation” designed to undermine its blockade of Gaza. It has insisted aid can be delivered through approved channels rather than by sea.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition of 44 vessels carrying activists and humanitarian supplies, set out from Barcelona last month. Organisers say 42 of the boats have been intercepted, leaving only four still active, including the Marinette, which continues toward Gaza.
The interceptions come as Gaza faces worsening humanitarian conditions, with the UN warning famine is imminent. Israel’s war in Gaza has killed over 66,000 Palestinians.
