UNITED NATIONS – The UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories on Thursday described Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla as “Apartheid without borders.”
“ALARM! How on earth is it possible that Israel is allowed to assault and seize vessels in international waters just off Greece/Europe? Besides what you can think of, Apartheid Israel and its genocidal leaders, this should send shock waves across Europe,” said Francesca Albanese on the US social media platform X.
The Interception
The Israeli navy intercepted vessels from the flotilla late on Wednesday as they headed toward Gaza to break a longstanding blockade on the enclave. The group said Israeli forces surrounded the convoy in international waters near the Greek island of Crete, jammed communications, and seized 21 vessels, adding that 17 vessels managed to escape and enter Greek waters following the incident.
The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, aims to break Israel’s blockade and open a humanitarian corridor by sea. The move came hours after Hebrew media reported that Israel was preparing to intercept the flotilla, which includes around 100 boats in total carrying nearly 1,000 activists from several countries.
Gaza Blockade
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007, leaving about 1.5 million Palestinians out of roughly 2.4 million homeless after their homes were destroyed during the war. The blockade severely restricts the entry of food, water, medicine, and construction materials, creating a humanitarian crisis that international aid organisations have described as catastrophic.
Previous Interceptions
Israel’s military halted a previous flotilla assembled by the same organisation last October in an attempt to reach blockaded Gaza, arresting Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and more than 450 participants.
Analysis: International Law Under Strain
The UN special rapporteur’s characterization of the interception as “Apartheid without borders” is among the strongest condemnations yet of Israel’s actions. Albanese has previously referred to Israel as an “apartheid regime,” a designation that Israel rejects.
The interception in international waters — near Greece, far from Israel’s shores — raises serious legal questions. Under international law, the principle of freedom of navigation is fundamental. Intercepting vessels on the high seas is generally impermissible unless authorised by international law (e.g., piracy, slavery, or unauthorised broadcasting).
Israel’s justification — enforcing its blockade of Gaza — is contested. The blockade itself is of disputed legality. The International Committee of the Red Cross has stated that blockades are permissible under international humanitarian law if they are not aimed at starving the civilian population. But critics argue that the blockade of Gaza amounts to collective punishment, which is prohibited.
The fact that the interception occurred in international waters — and that Israel jammed communications and seized vessels — suggests a willingness to operate far beyond its territorial jurisdiction. Albanese’s question — “How on earth is it possible that Israel is allowed to assault and seize vessels in international waters just off Greece/Europe?” — is a legitimate one.
The international community’s response has been muted. Türkiye condemned the interception as “an act of piracy,” but other countries have been silent. The European Union, whose member state Greece is geographically closest to the incident, has not issued a strong statement.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with over 800 Palestinians killed since the October ceasefire according to a recent UN statement, the flotillas represent an attempt by civil society to bypass a blockade they consider illegal. Israel’s interception of these ships, hundreds of miles from Gaza, underscores its determination to maintain the blockade — and its willingness to enforce it far from its shores.
The UN special rapporteur’s warning that this “should send shock waves across Europe” is a call to action. Whether Europe responds remains to be seen.
