Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has summoned Israel’s chargé d’affaires to Warsaw, demanding the immediate release of Polish nationals detained by Israeli forces during an operation targeting the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Diplomatic Escalation
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is intensifying its response following the detention of Polish citizens by Israeli services during an operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla. Radosław Sikorski confirmed on Thursday morning that he had ordered the summoning of Israel’s chargé d’affaires in Warsaw to demand explanations and the release of those detained.
Sikorski stated that Poland condemns the actions taken by Israeli authorities against the activists and insists on the immediate release of its citizens. The ministry is closely monitoring the situation through its consular offices in Greece, Turkey, and Israel, maintaining contact with both the operation’s coordinators and the families of those involved.
Details of the Detentions
According to Rafał Piotrowski from Global Sumud Poland, the detainees include Łukasz Kozak, Agata Wisłocka, and Kareem Awad. The initial detention occurred on Monday, approximately 130 kilometers off the coast of Cyprus, while Kozak was aboard a vessel heading toward the Gaza Strip.
Additional members of the Polish delegation were detained on Tuesday. The spokesperson for the Polish section of the flotilla reported that the entire Polish delegation participating in the mission has been taken into custody.
Global Sumud Flotilla Operations
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed from the Turkish port of Marmaris last week, with participants aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and symbolically challenge the naval blockade. Reports indicate that the Israeli Navy has intercepted over 40 vessels from the convoy, with some allegedly coming under fire.
Israel maintains that the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip is both legal and essential for national security, asserting that it will not allow the blockade to be breached.
International Law and Travel Warnings
The Polish Foreign Ministry has emphasized that ships carrying humanitarian aid are entitled to special protection and that freedom of navigation on international waters is a fundamental principle of maritime law. The ministry reminded all parties of the obligation to adhere to international law, including humanitarian standards.
Simultaneously, the ministry continues to advise against travel to the region, specifically citing Israel, Palestine, and the Gaza Strip. It warns that individuals choosing to ignore these warnings do so at their own risk and must be prepared for unpredictable consequences.