The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) strongly condemns the attack carried out in international waters against the civilian and humanitarian vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, the destruction of the boats, the forcible detention of the crew, and the continued imprisonment of Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila by Israel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and breaking the unlawful blockade, is a civilian, peaceful and humanitarian initiative. Nevertheless, once again, Israel used military force against boats sailing in international waters; deprived activists of food, water and basic necessities; subjected them to inhuman and degrading treatment while holding them in unlawful detention; and transferred certain crew members to Israel. These acts constitute not only an attack on the flotilla participants, but also an attack on efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, on international law, and on the right to international solidarity with the Palestinian people.
IADL demands the immediate release of Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila. The targeting of these two activists through politically motivated accusations such as “illegal activities” or “affiliation with a terrorist organization” forms part of a broader policy of criminalizing the Palestine solidarity movement, suppressing the organizing of Palestinians in exile and diaspora, and deterring civilian initiatives against the blockade of Gaza.
Israel’s genocidal blockade and siege of Gaza, its ongoing illegal occupation, apartheid regime, policies of mass forced displacement and ethnic cleansing, its use of starvation as a weapon of war, and its systematic attacks against the Palestinian people constitute grave breaches of international law and core crimes under international criminal law, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. In this context, the military assault on civilian vessels seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza is not an isolated incident, but a further act in the continuum of Israel’s genocidal campaign, its unlawful blockade, and its colonial project to deny the Palestinian people their right to life, return, self-determination and liberation.
IADL calls on all concerned states to take immediate diplomatic and legal action to protect the rights of their citizens and all persons under their jurisdiction. The obligations of states are not limited to general statements of condemnation. International law imposes on states not only the duty to punish genocide, but also the duty to prevent it. This obligation requires concrete, effective and urgent measures against Israel’s unlawful blockade, attacks on civilians, and targeting of human rights defenders.
IADL further calls on all states and international institutions to take the following urgent measures:
- secure the immediate release of Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila through all available diplomatic and legal mechanisms;
- ensure an independent and effective international investigation into the attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, the destruction of vessels, the detention of crew members, and allegations of ill-treatment and torture;
- bring an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza and guarantee humanitarian access without leaving aid corridors subject to Israel’s arbitrary control;
- impose a full and unconditional arms embargo on Israel;
- terminate military, intelligence, economic and diplomatic cooperation with Israel;
- end the criminalization of individuals, organizations and movements expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people under the pretext of “terrorism” or “public order”;
- pursue all available legal avenues, including universal jurisdiction before national courts, against Israeli officials and all those responsible;
- intensify international pressure for the release of all Palestinian political prisoners and all persons unlawfully detained in Israeli prisons.
IADL calls upon lawyers, bar associations, human rights organizations and democratic mass organizations to understand this attack not as an isolated incident, but as part and parcel of the blockade of Gaza, the genocide against the Palestinian people, the apartheid regime, and the attempts to suppress the international solidarity movement.
The attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla has been made possible by the silence of the international community and the complicity of Western states. Unless Israel’s impunity is ended, not only civilians in Gaza, but also lawyers, activists, journalists, students, humanitarian workers and human rights defenders standing in solidarity with them will continue to be targeted.
IADL calls on the international legal community to act urgently for the release of Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila, the freedom of all Palestinian prisoners, the end of the blockade of Gaza, for the realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, return and liberation, and for full accountability for Israel’s genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Freedom for Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila.
Freedom for all Palestinian political prisoners.
End the blockade of Gaza.
Justice, liberation and self-determination for the Palestinian people.