Emotional family members of New Zealand citizens detained by Israel in international waters are calling on the Government to do “everything in its power” to bring them home safely.
The family of Rana Hamida, Youssef Sammour, and Samuel Leason spoke with Greens co-leaders Chlöe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson in Auckland this morning.
Organisers for the humanitarian flotilla say the boats carrying the three Kiwis were illegally intercepted on September 29 while trying to break an Israeli blockade of Gaza.
The two Palestinian-New Zealanders, Hamida and Sammour, are now on a hunger strike.
Samar, Youssef Sammour’s sister, said the Government has failed to act on the suffering in Gaza.
“Today I urge the NZ Government to demonstrate the principled leadership that defines us as a nation and to finally show the moral courage that people like Youssef, Rana and Samuel have shown in abundance.”
She directed a message to her brother in detention.
“Youssef, if you somehow see this, we miss you. We surround you with all our love. Please come back home safe to us.”
Samar called for the Government to impose sanctions on Israel for its “persistent violations of international law”.
“I want the NZ Government to do everything in its power to secure the immediate release of Youssef, Rana and Samuel from their illegal detention.
“I’m speaking to you, Christopher Luxon, I’m speaking to you, Winston Peters.
“Today, I am calling on you to act, not just with your words but with principle, with urgency and with courage.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla comprises dozens of boats carrying approximately 500 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Heba, Rana Hamida’s sister, described Rana as an “amazing soul” who wouldn’t hurt an insect.
“How can you imagine this kind of human sees the genocide and starvation of kids in Gaza, Palestine and not do anything?”
Their mission was to deliver aid, toys, food and baby formula to the people of Gaza, Heba said.
“She was trying with her friends to do what our Government should do. The Government has failed all of us.
“They are on hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.”
Adi Leason, the father of Samuel Leason, said British diplomats had spoken with his son and relayed that, “as expected”, he had not been treated well.
“The British got diplomats in and managed to get to visit and see some of the flotilla participants, and they found Samuel and spoke to him, checked on his wellbeing, his health,” Adi said.
“He had been roughed up, treated badly, as expected. He’s in a horrible environment.”
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said everyone in Parliament was responsible for the safety of the three detained Kiwis.
“Luxon, Seymour and Peters are proving that they would not have been the leaders of this country who chose to stand against apartheid South Africa.
“We are demanding that the Government does everything in its power to make clear how it will return these three New Zealanders who have been illegally kidnapped from international waters.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters later made a lengthy social media post telling Swarbrick to grow up and condemning the three Kiwis who travelled to Gaza.
“Chloe Swarbrick needs to grow up and get off her ‘holier than thou’ sanctimonious high horse.
“Those individuals in that flotilla knew, as well as you did, that it was all about ‘headline hunting’. They knew what they were doing and what was going to happen but they did it anyway. Shame on them and shame on you,” Peters said."
Chloe Swarbrick needs to grow up and get off her ‘holier than thou’ sanctimonious high horse.
— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) October 5, 2025
No one wants to be lectured about ‘morals’ from someone who knows nothing about what’s going on around the world apart from her own arrogantly manufactured ideologically driven…
Leason told Herald NOW’s Ryan Bridge that “with any luck”, his son will be deported via a chartered flight to London within the next few days.
Leason said that the British consulate passed on a message from Samuel to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), which made its way to his parents. It said: “When I get home, can I have nachos?”.
Samuel’s compassion, concern and awareness drew him to the cause, he said.
“You take the side of the underdog and the dispossessed and the crushed, rather than take the side of those committing war crimes and genocide.”
Joining the flotilla was not Samuel’s first attempt to get aid into the war-torn territory. He spent a couple of months walking across the Sinai desert with 3000 others carrying milk powder and trying to get supplies into the Rafa gate, he said.
That attempt failed, and, now, not having succeeded a second time, will likely leave Samuel “heartbroken”, said Leason.
“I am worried that he’s actually going to be a bit traumatised by shame that he’s had to do what our Government should have been doing.”