The Global Sumud Flotilla departed from various European ports in April with the aim of breaking what organizers described as Israel’s inhumane blockade on Palestine, which has lasted for more than 18 years, and delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians. On the night of April 29, while sailing in the Mediterranean near the island of Crete in international waters, the flotilla was attacked by Israel. During the intervention, 22 sailboats and vessels were seized, while 17 others managed to enter Greek territorial waters and avoid capture. A total of 175 activists from different countries, including 20 Turkish citizens, were aboard the seized vessels. Of the activists detained by Israel in international waters, 31 people — including 2 Turks — were reportedly beaten and injured by soldiers during the raid. After no contact could be established with the activists for two days, it was learned that they were being held on the island of Crete. Following intervention by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an evacuation plane was sent to the region. The aircraft departing from Crete carried 59 people in total, including 18 Turkish activists and 41 activists from 14 different countries. The activists were welcomed in Istanbul by their families and representatives of civil society organizations. Upon arrival, they made statements about the events they experienced.

Of the 20 Turkish citizens detained by Israeli forces, Ömer Osman Taştan traveled from Crete to the Netherlands, while Hüseyin Oral was injured during the raid and remained in Greece for medical treatment. The 18 Turkish citizens brought to Istanbul were identified as Mustafa Enes Topal, Muhammed Özdemir, Ali Deniz, Yunus Kava, Şahin Yaşlık, Mustafa Arslan, Abdülselam Demir, Nevzat Öylek, Nevzat Güzel, Halil Erdoğmuş, Abdüllatif Faslı, Hüseyin Şuayb Ordu, Mahmut Akay, Görkem Duru, Mehmet Atlı, Mükremin Köse, Ramazan Tekdemir, and Mahmut Çağatay Yavuz.

“Israeli Terror Has Reached Europe’s Borders”

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Palestine Support Platform President Osman Nuri Kabaktepe said: “We thank all the activists who were attacked by Zionist Israel’s bandit assault and who have returned to Türkiye today, as well as those who returned to their own countries and all those abducted by Israel, for their courage. You are here representing all 85 million people of Türkiye. You stand with Gaza, Quds, and the Palestinians, and against the oppressive Israel. For that, we thank all of you. On behalf of all civil society organizations that have struggled for the freedom of Quds and Palestine for years, we express our gratitude.”

Beheşti İsmail Songür, President of the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, stated: “Today we are witnessing a historic moment. Israeli terror forces are no longer merely a matter concerning Palestine and the Middle East. Israeli terror has now reached Europe’s borders. Last year, they bombed the Conscience Ship in international waters. Today, 59 activist friends are among us. Two days ago, their ships were seized off the coast of Crete. This attack, carried out in cooperation with the United States, Israel, and Greece, was ultimately left to Greece.”

“Israel Is the Terrorist of the World”

Activist journalist Muhammed Özdemir said: “I want to thank my friends here who were taken captive by Israeli soldiers but did not bow their heads for even a second. Through its intervention against us, Israel has shown that it is the terrorist of the world. Israel is the trouble of the world. We will continue step by step until this trouble ends.”

Ayçin Kantoğlu, a board member of the Global Sumud Flotilla Türkiye, stated: “We are going through a historic period. What we have witnessed in Palestine over the past two and a half years is merely a visible continuation of what they have endured for nearly a century. We have a message for those who believe themselves masters of the world: to hell with them! We will witness not only the end of Israel, but also Netanyahu’s exemplary downfall.”

“We Were Not Intimidated, and We Never Will Be”

Activist Ali Deniz emphasized that half of the flotilla is still continuing its journey: “After a month-long journey, I’m happy to be back in my country. Following two days in detention, we are home, and we thank everyone who contributed. We wanted to reach Gaza. We wanted to hold the hands of the children in Gaza. We wanted to bring baby formula and medicine to those children. But we were abducted. Still, half of our flotilla continues on its way.”

Argentine MP Monika Schlotthauer, who was aboard the ship as an activist, said: More than 200 people — women and men, passengers of the Freedom and Sumud Flotilla — were abducted by the murderous Israel. We were tortured, psychologically harassed, humiliated, but we did not give up, we are not giving up, and we will never give up.”

“They Put Us in Containers and Tortured Us”

Activist Hüseyin Şuayb Ordu said: “Two days ago, they kidnapped us in the heart of Europe. They tortured us and treated us in ways that should not even be inflicted on animals. They placed 200 people into containers and tortured them. Many of our friends were injured and are still receiving treatment.”

British activist Katy Davidson stated: “Hello Türkiye, thank you for everything. England has much to learn from you. As is known, more than 11,000 Palestinians are unjustly imprisoned. I am an ordinary person working in the food sector in England. I could no longer bear watching what I saw on the screen. I said to myself, ‘I have to do something,’ and joined this journey.”

“Arrest Warrants Had Been Issued for 37 Israelis”

Finally, attorney Hüseyin Dişli, a board member of the Global Sumud Flotilla Turkey, provided information about the legal process: “In the investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding our flotilla that departed in October 2025, the charges were eventually expanded to genocide and crimes against humanity, and arrest warrants were issued for 37 Israelis. Last week, the case was transformed into a public prosecution with the preparation of an indictment. A new investigation has also been launched concerning the intervention against the current flotilla.”

After the welcoming ceremony, the activists were taken to the forensic medicine institution for medical examinations.