In the early hours of April 30, Israeli naval forces sailed into international waters between Greece and Italy, boarded civilian vessels by force, systematically destroyed engines and navigation systems, jammed communications equipment, and withdrew— abducting over 180 civilians, and leaving 22 boats unaccounted for. As a storm approaches the area, those left on the boats have no means of propulsion, navigation, or distress signalling.

This was a military attack in European waters. Not off the coast of Gaza, or even in a contested zone. In a corridor where European forces conduct daily patrols and where European sovereignty is actively asserted against migrant vessels, vessels far less threatening than a state navy. If Europe enforces its maritime borders against rubber dinghies but not against a foreign military assault, the question of international complicity in this attack must be raised.

There was nothing defensive or legal about what Israel did. It is piracy in international waters, targeting civilian vessels and placing lives in direct danger.

This is not the first time Israel has attacked civilians in international waters; in May 2025, Israel bombed a flotilla vessel off the coast of Malta. 9 flotilla passengers were also killed during Israel’s boarding of an aid ship in 2010, with another later dying from their wounds.

This latest attack is another clear violation of international law by a designated apartheid state on trial for genocide at the highest court in the world. The ethnic cleansing across Palestine and Lebanon must end, the illegal bombing across the Middle East must end, and Israel’s impunity must end.

The 180 missing civilians need your immediate attention, and the remaining flotilla ships require your protection.

I call on you to urgently: