Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism has unveiled a detailed report claiming that the Global Sumud Flotilla, a multinational convoy of over 50 vessels aiming to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, is underpinned by networks tied to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Released on September 16, the 20-page document, titled A Humanitarian Cover with Documented Links to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, asserts that the initiative serves as a propaganda tool to legitimise terrorist narratives and undermine Israeli security.
“The so-called ‘Freedom Flotilla’ is nothing more than a propaganda tool for Hamas jihadists,” the diaspora ministry said.
“Its leaders and spokespersons openly maintain ties with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and terror organisations. European MPs boarding these ships should ask themselves: Are you standing for peace – or giving cover to terror?”
The flotilla, launched in mid-2025 by coalitions including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Maghreb Sumud involves activists from 44 countries, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg and US actress Susan Sarandon.
It departed from ports in Barcelona, Genoa, Tunis and Catania between late August and early September, carrying humanitarian supplies such as baby formula, medicines and food amid Gaza’s escalating famine crisis.
Organisers describe it as a non-violent effort to deliver aid and protest the Israeli blockade, which the UN has deemed collective punishment under international law.
🚨Special Report- waves of hate – The hidden networks behind the Global Terror Flotilla:
Not surprisingly, to mask the extremist ideology underpinning the Global Summud Flotilla (GSF), its Steering Committee showcased Greta Thunberg as a cover figure. Yet Thunberg is far from… pic.twitter.com/ojw7BqUbK3
— עמיחי שיקלי – Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) September 16, 2025
The ministry’s analysis, though, identifies the flotilla’s steering committee as comprising individuals with “documented ties” to proscribed groups.
Key figures include Saif Abu Keshk, a Barcelona-based Palestinian activist arrested in Egypt in June for allegedly leading an unauthorised “March to Gaza” alongside Algerian cleric Yahia Sarri, a Muslim Brotherhood affiliate with Hamas connections.
Muhammad Nadir al-Nuri, Malaysian CEO of Cinta Gaza Malaysia, is accused of funding Hamas-linked projects in Gaza, including infrastructure for its Ministry of Social Development.
Other named individuals, such as Marouan Ben Guettaia and Wael Nawar, are cited for alleged meetings with Hamas officials, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah leaders, including attendance at the funeral of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah in February.
The report outlines a “multi-layered framework”: A civic axis mobilising BDS-inspired (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) protests in more than 100 global sites; a Palestinian-international axis co-ordinating via Telegram and webinars with Hamas external leaders such as Basem Naim and Osama Hamdan; and a religious axis providing ideological support through Brotherhood-affiliated scholars.
Diaspora minister Amichai Chikli described it as a “mechanism in service of Hamas” that fuels anti-Semitism and delegitimises Israel, drawing parallels to the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid where nine activists died.
Flotilla representatives and critics dismissed these claims as Israeli disinformation, echoing accusations levelled at prior missions and called the report a case of “guilt by association”, reliant on photos and unverified affiliations rather than evidence of operational control.
Organisers emphasised transparent crowdfunding for aid, with no terror funding and framed the convoy as a grassroots response to aid blockages.
Recent drone strikes on vessels including The Family and Alma in Tunisian waters — suspected as Israeli sabotage — have bolstered their narrative of harassment.
UN affiliates urged protection for the flotilla on September 9, labelling blockade challenges a “consequence of international failure” to ensure aid access.
Sixteen nations, including Spain and Portugal, warned Israel against interference, citing maritime law violations.
Currently, the flotilla is regrouping in Sicily after delays.
Israel’s blockade, imposed since 2007, is designed to curb arms smuggling but has drawn global rebuke for exacerbating Gaza’s humanitarian plight.
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s ship Madleen has made a detour in the Mediterranean to pick up illegal migrants and bring them to Europe. https://t.co/qk8fLSnmt7
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) June 5, 2025
