Mamdani Calls Israeli Interception of Sumud Flotilla "Brazen Violation of International Law," Demands Release of Detained New Yorkers

May 1, 2026Jerusalem Post / JNS / Israel National News / Al Jazeera / NewsKerala Official

Read the full story at Jerusalem Post / JNS / Israel National News / Al Jazeera / NewsKerala

Summary

Mayor Mamdani issued a sharp public condemnation Thu May 1 after the Israeli Navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off the coast of Greece on Wed Apr 30, detaining ~175 activists including "several New Yorkers." Mamdani: "Israeli forces intercepted and boarded a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in international waters off the coast of Greece — unlawfully detaining more than 175 people, including several New Yorkers… This is a brazen violation of international law. Those detained must be released." His team is in direct contact with State and Federal partners to confirm the New Yorkers' whereabouts and conditions. By midday May 1, 168 activists were transferred to Crete; two remained in Israeli custody for questioning. Israel released most activists in Greece and characterized the flotilla as "Hamas-supporting"; the Trump administration called it a "pro-Hamas initiative." Spain's PM condemned the seizure as an "act of piracy"; UN urged Israel to allow Gaza aid through. The statement is Mamdani's most direct rebuke of Israel since the day-one revocation of Adams's Israel-boycott-ban EO and lands the day after the buffer-zone-override math wobbled with Wilson's softening.

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