Poland’s deputy prime minister Radosław Sikorski criticized Israel’s seizure of the Global Sumud flotilla, calling it a protest against the state while the crew faces detention.
Israel Boards Global Sumud Flotilla, Arrests Crew
Israel boarded almost all vessels carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip under the Global Sumud Flotilla. About 500 crew members on nearly 50 boats were detained after a prior assault with water cannon. It is unclear where the detained individuals are now and how they are being treated.
Global Diplomatic Reactions to the Nighttime Seizure
The world displays a full range of responses to the nocturnal takeover of the boats. The President of Colombia announced breaking the trade agreement with Israel and expelling Israeli diplomats. Turkey called the action a “terrorist act” and said the “fascist militaristic principles applied by Netanyahu’s genocidal government—which has doomed Gaza to famine—are not limited solely to Palestinians.” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that the flotilla revealed “Israel’s murderous face” and that the Attorney General has opened an investigation into the detention of Turkish citizens. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs “strongly condemned” the occupation of the Global Sumud Flotilla ships, renewing Qatar’s appeal to the international community to act decisively against blatant violations of international law by the Israeli occupying authorities. Malaysia’s Prime Minister demanded the immediate release of his country’s citizens, pledging that all lawful and legally justified measures would be taken to hold Israel accountable. Belgium summoned its Israeli ambassador, denouncing the boarding on international waters as “unacceptable.” Other governments, including South Africa, noted that Israel had broken international law, and in the worst case expressed “concern,” mirroring the UK government’s stance and stating it was in contact with families of downed British citizens and that the humanitarian aid aboard should safely reach Gaza.
Polish Government’s Handling of the Incident
What did the Polish government do? Unfortunately, it behaved dishonoringly. Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski, who seemed to compare Israel to regimes such as Iran, Russia, and Belarus, primarily pointed a finger at Polish citizens who sailed in the flotilla and loudly questioned whether people evacuated by diplomatic services should pay for it. He told the public that “the consular service helps Poles in trouble.” This wording—borrowed from children’s books and family movies—was used when the former TV presenter Marek Czyż asked Sikorski whether Poland recognised the statehood of Palestine. Sikorski, who boasts that Poland recognised it since the late 1980s, made no effort to prepare, implying that he had brushed Israel’s statehood with his own teeth, while simultaneously saying that the Gaza situation “does not meet his understanding of genocide.”
Polish Volunteers Facing the Gaza Strip
Franciszek Sterczewski and three other Poles who almost reached the Gaza Strip are not vacationers asleep on floating mattresses far from shore; they are courageous individuals who used their abilities to try to deliver basic aid to starving and dying people. Governments and high‑level politicians have far greater powers than individual citizens, but the Polish government, through funding for the UN agenda, has granted itself a pardon for the crime of omission. Today, when Israeli forces breach the law on international waters, the government does not even express symbolic concern. Worse, according to Donald Tusk, it is entering Netanyahu’s propaganda, describing the event as a “maritime demonstration against Israel.”
Legal Claims and Allegations of Genocide
An independent expert commission convened by the UN Human Rights Council found that four of the five preconditions for genocide were met: killing, causing serious physical or psychological injury, deliberately creating conditions intended for the total or partial destruction of the Palestinian people, and measures intended to prevent births. Moreover, Poland has an obligation to act to stop genocide; the International Court of Justice mandates that all states must prevent genocide wherever it occurs. Prevention includes delivering humanitarian aid.
Polish Medical Mission Appeals for Support
We help the victims in Gaza! The Polish Medical Mission sends doctors directly to the Gaza Strip. Every złoty translates into more acts of help on site. Donate >> HERE
