Reflections on China’s 76th National Day: Wisdom, Discipline, and Global Humanity
October 1, 2025Whatever Happens to Sumud Flotilla, the People’s Movement to Free Palestine Will Not Cease
October 1, 2025Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations) – MAPIM
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PRESS RELEASE
1 hb Oktober 2025
ITALY AND SPAIN NAVY PULLING OUT FROM SUMUD FLOTILLA IS COMPLICITY WITH ISRAEL’S ILLEGAL BLOCKADE
Date: 1 October 2025
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) strongly condemns the decision of Italy and Spain to withdraw their naval presence and protective escort from the Global Sumud Flotilla. This action, taken at a critical juncture when the flotilla is facing imminent Israeli aggression, represents nothing less than tacit complicity with Israel’s unlawful and inhumane blockade of Gaza.
For months, civil society organizations across the world have mobilized the Sumud Flotilla – the largest humanitarian maritime initiative since the 2010 Mavi Marmara – with the aim of breaking the illegal Israeli siege and delivering urgent aid to the people of Gaza. The presence of European naval vessels was seen as a minimal deterrent against Israel’s repeated acts of piracy and violence in international waters.
Italy’s announcement that its navy will disengage once the flotilla approaches 150 nautical miles from Gaza, and Spain’s similar stance, is a betrayal of the humanitarian mission and an abandonment of international obligations to uphold the freedom of navigation and the protection of civilians. Instead of protecting unarmed humanitarian activists, Italy and Spain have chosen to appease Israeli threats and effectively legitimize the blockade.
The Israeli siege on Gaza, which has been declared illegal under international law, amounts to collective punishment and has resulted in catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Any state or institution that enables this blockade, directly or indirectly, shares responsibility for the suffering of 2.3 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza.
MAPIM asserts the following:
- Italy and Spain must reverse their decision and ensure the safe passage of the flotilla. Anything less would render them complicit in war crimes.
- The international community must hold Israel accountable for its repeated acts of aggression against humanitarian missions in international waters.
- The United Nations and maritime authorities must intervene immediately to guarantee the flotilla’s right to navigate freely and deliver aid to Gaza.
- Civil society worldwide must intensify pressure on their governments not to yield to Israeli intimidation and to defend humanitarian principles without compromise.
MAPIM reminds Italy and Spain that history will judge not only the oppressors but also those who stood by and allowed oppression to continue. The withdrawal of naval protection is not neutrality; it is acquiescence to apartheid, genocide, and maritime piracy.
We stand firmly with the Global Sumud Flotilla, and we demand safe passage to Gaza without obstruction.
Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President
MAPIM (Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations)
