Reporters Without Borders denounce Israel for ‘kidnapping’ journalists

(SeaPRwire) –   Three correspondents were detained aboard the Gaza-bound activist flotilla

The advocacy organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has alleged that Israel kidnapped journalists who were aboard an activist flotilla headed for Gaza, which was stopped by the Israeli Navy on Thursday.

Israeli officials reported that forces captured 22 of the 58 vessels belonging to the pro-Palestinian Second Sumud Flotilla near the Greek island of Crete, taking 175 individuals into custody. The flotilla’s organizers, however, stated that 211 activists were “kidnapped.”

The boats had departed from the Spanish port of Barcelona on April 12 with the aim of breaking the Israeli naval blockade of the Palestinian enclave.

“RSF condemns the Israeli army’s abduction of 3 journalists in international waters: Hafedh Mribah (French) & Mahmut Yavuz (Turkish) from Al Jazeera, and Alex Colston (American), a contributor to the outlet Zeteo,” the organization posted on X on Thursday. “The Israeli army is responsible for their safety,” RSF further stated.

Among the passengers was Margaret Connolly, a doctor and sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, who stated in a phone call with The Journal on Thursday that the boat interception was “absolutely illegal.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a consistent critic of Israel, charged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with breaching international maritime law and urged the EU to halt a trade agreement with the country.

Netanyahu praised the Navy for stopping a flotilla of “Hamas supporters.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar characterized the flotilla as a “PR stunt,” noting that all activists “who were taken off the vessels were taken off unharmed” and would be disembarked on the Greek coast.

Israel has stopped several similar flotillas previously, including an operation involving dozens of boats in June 2025, which carried passengers such as climate activist Greta Thunberg and French politician Rima Hassan.