19.05.2026 00:20
The Global Sumud Fleet stated that the Israeli army fabricated the 'Turkish boat' lie as a pretext for attacks. The statement said: 'The Israeli regime has once again begun leaking to the media a highly calculated, deeply racist operational plan based on lies, racial incitement, and disinformation. Israel is fabricating the 'Turkish boat' pretext to justify its brutal attack on the civilian fleet.'
The Global Sumud Fleet stated that the Israeli army is actively besieging and blocking the fleet's civilian ships, announcing that Israel has "once again begun leaking to the media an extremely calculated, deeply racist operation plan based on lies, racial incitement, and disinformation."
ISRAEL'S "TURKISH BOAT" LIE
A written statement titled "Israeli racism on the high seas: Israel fabricates a 'Turkish boat' pretext to justify a brutal attack on a civilian fleet" was issued by the Global Sumud Fleet.
The statement said: "According to military sources on Israel's Channel 12, Israeli occupation forces plan to separate the fleet by nationality. They state that they will seize 'European boats' before moving on to 'Turkish boats,' clearly warning that their tactics this time will be 'more aggressive' and that they will not provide emergency aid to participants."
"NO TURKISH-FLAGGED SHIPS IN THE SUMUD FLEET"
In the statement, which noted that the Global Sumud Fleet is "exposing this immoral and racist tactic and calling on global leaders to urgently condemn this racism and take action," it was emphasized that there are no Turkish-flagged ships in the fleet and that the entire 52-ship humanitarian aid fleet sails only under European and international flags.
The statement included the following expressions: "The Israeli regime has once again begun leaking to the media an extremely calculated, deeply racist operation plan based on lies, racial incitement, and disinformation. By declaring its intention to use 'more aggressive' methods against those it perceives as Turkish participants, the Israeli regime is once again displaying blatant racism and dehumanization, just as it has done to the Palestinian people for nearly 80 years."
ATTACKS BY THE ISRAELI ARMY ON THE GLOBAL SUMUD FLEET
The Global Sumud Fleet's Spring 2026 Mission, which aims to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver vital humanitarian aid, was subjected to an unlawful intervention by the Israeli army on the night of April 29, a few nautical miles outside Greek territorial waters off the coast of Crete Island.
During its attack in international waters, 600 nautical miles from Gaza, the Israeli army detained and mistreated 177 activists.
The Israeli army carried out a new attack on the fleet, which included 426 activists from 39 countries, on May 18 while it was sailing in international waters toward Gaza, unlawfully detaining many activists.
In August 2025, the Israeli army also carried out a similar attack on the Global Sumud Fleet, which was heading to Gaza with more than 40 boats carrying 500 activists from over 44 countries.