New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Thursday sharply criticized Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla and the detention of activists aboard the vessels, describing the action as illegal and in violation of international law.

In a social media statement, Mamdani said Israeli forces boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and detained more than 175 individuals, including residents of New York. “Last night, Israeli forces intercepted and boarded a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza in international waters off the coast of Greece – unlawfully detaining more than 175 people, including several New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote.

He added that his office has been working with government officials to gather information about those detained. “My team has been in direct contact with State and Federal partners as we work to confirm the whereabouts and conditions of these New Yorkers,” he said.

Mamdani further asserted that the operation violated international norms and called for the detainees’ release. “This is a brazen violation of international law. Those detained must be released.”

Israeli naval forces intercepted the flotilla Wednesday night, and officials said that, as in prior similar incidents, the vessels were not carrying the humanitarian supplies organizers had claimed.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated Thursday that those on board would be sent to Greece and would not remain in Israeli custody.

The Global Sumud Flotilla had set sail from multiple countries, including Turkey, Spain, and Italy, and reportedly included more than 100 boats with approximately 1,000 participants.

Mamdani has previously drawn criticism over his positions on Israel. During his campaign, he declined to distance himself from the phrase “globalize the intifada,” and he was also criticized for remarks about Israel made on October 8, 2023, one day after the Hamas attacks in southern Israel.

He has repeatedly accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza and has said he would seek the arrest of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu should he come to New York City.

On his first day in office, Mamdani sparked controversy by rescinding executive orders related to Israel that had been issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams.

Among the orders he canceled was one signed in June 2025 adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

Another rescinded directive had barred mayoral appointees and agency personnel from engaging in boycotts or divestment efforts targeting Israel.

Mamdani has also faced scrutiny over allegations of antisemitism since assuming office. A recent report claimed that his wife, Rama Dawaji, had interacted with social media content perceived as supportive of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

In addition, at a Ramadan gathering last month, Mamdani was introduced by an individual who called for Hamas to carry out attacks on Tel Aviv.

{Matzav.com}