‘Safety of New Zealanders is paramount’: Foreign Affairs Ministry responds as Kiwis aboard Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israel

Reports suggest the flotilla headed to Gaza has been intercepted by Israel. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand foreign affairs officials are contacting their counterparts in Israel in light of reports three New Zealanders are aboard a flotilla headed to Gaza which has been intercepted by Israel’s Navy.

Samuel Leason, one of the three Kiwis reported to be with the roughly 45-vessel Global Sumud Flotilla, today posted a video on social media claiming he had been “kidnapped” by Israeli forces.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was aware the Israeli Navy had begun to intercept the flotilla and officials based in the Turkish capital of Ankara had contacted Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “on the provision of consular services to New Zealanders on board the flotilla, and our expectations in that regard, should that be requested by any of the participants”.

“The safety of New Zealanders is paramount,” the ministry said.

“We expect any New Zealanders in the flotilla to be treated in a manner consistent with international law and have communicated this directly to Israel several times.”

While the ministry wouldn’t comment on individual cases for privacy reasons, it said “practical consular advice” had been given to groups in touch with New Zealanders involved in the flotilla.

It reiterated New Zealand’s advisory not to travel to Gaza amid Israel’s offensive.

“The advisory explicitly warns New Zealanders against any attempt to enter Gaza by sea in breach of Israeli navy restrictions, including participation in flotillas to deliver aid.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the flotilla’s interception reinforced the Government’s advice not to travel to Gaza.

“That’s why we say, ‘Do not travel to Gaza’,[it’s] been a pretty clear explanation for a long period of time.”

He said the Government expected any New Zealanders to be handled by Israel officials in accordance with international law.

The Global Sumud Flotilla – about 45 vessels carrying activists and politicians, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg – left Spain last month aiming to break Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory, where the United Nations says famine has set in.

“Around 8.30pm Gaza time [8.30am NZT], several vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including the Alma, Sirius and Adara, were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli occupation forces in international waters,” the flotilla said.

“Beyond the confirmed interceptions, livestreams and communications with several other vessels have been lost.”

– Additional reporting: AFP

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.