2 October 2025 | Webfit News

Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is calling on the New Zealand Government to act after reports that Israeli forces stopped the Global Sumud Flotilla and detained people on board. The flotilla was attempting to take food, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies to people in Gaza.

What happened

According to Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla and detained peaceful protestors, including three New Zealanders. The group says the boats were carrying urgently needed aid for Palestinians in Gaza.

What Amnesty NZ is saying

Amnesty’s Executive Director, Jacqui Dillon, released a statement saying:

  • Governments, including New Zealand’s, have not done enough in response to what she describes as “Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.”
  • The New Zealand Government should condemn the interception, demand the immediate and unconditional release of everyone on board, including any New Zealand nationals, and insist on unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
  • Anything less, she said, risks complicity in serious violations of Palestinians’ rights.
  • She called on the Government to do all it can to end the atrocities.

Note: These are Amnesty International’s claims and positions. Webfit News is reporting them as statements from the organisation.

What Amnesty wants the Government to do now

Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand is asking the Government to:

  1. Publicly condemn the interception.
  2. Demand the release of everyone on the flotilla, including any New Zealanders.
  3. Push for an end to the blockade and allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.

What we know about the New Zealanders

Amnesty says three New Zealanders are among those detained. No names were provided in the statement.

What the Government has said

Amnesty’s statement does not include a response from the New Zealand Government. Webfit News has not seen an official government comment at the time of writing.

Source

Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand press statement, 2 October 2025.