Dear friends, supporters, advocates, and defenders of human rights,
We write with urgency regarding the status of the civilians abducted by the Israeli government over the past two days, May 18 and 19, off of civilian boats in international waters.
428 civilians from more than 40 countries, including 25 U.S. nationals, were seized by Israeli forces while sailing peacefully and lawfully in international waters, heading to the besieged Gaza Strip. In the final moments before Israeli forces disabled cameras and internet communications, livestream footage clearly shows Israeli commandos opening fire on at least two civilian vessels. While we cannot yet confirm the type of ammunition used, we know that at least three flotilla participants sustained non-life-threatening gunshot injuries, disproving Israel’s claim that it fired only at the vessels and not at civilians on board. See our statement here.
We are now witnessing Israeli officials openly publicize and celebrate their disgusting violations of human rights–humiliating, abusing, and torturing kidnapped civilians inside Israeli prisons. In footage released from Ashdod port by Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli prison guards are seen brutalizing flotilla activists. In another video, Transportation Minister Miri Regev repeatedly refers to the detainees as “terror supporters” and claims they were “drugged with alcohol.” Additional footage circulated by Israeli Channel 14 reporter Moti Kastel shows activists kneeling with their hands bound behind their backs, faces forced to the ground while the Israeli national anthem plays around them.
While Israel is now trying to control the global scrutiny by placing blame on Ben Gvir, this lawlessness and violence is not an aberration. It is a reflection of the brutality, impunity, and dehumanization at the core of the Zionist regime and its ongoing assault on Palestinians and all those who stand in solidarity with them.
As we write this, we are receiving updates from our lawyers in occupied Palestine. Attorneys from Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, together with a team of volunteer lawyers, were able to meet with hundreds of detained volunteers today, though severe access restrictions prevented them from reaching everyone. According to Adalah, flotilla participants reported extreme violence, sexual humiliation, and serious injuries inflicted by Israeli forces. At least three individuals were hospitalized and later released, while dozens more reported suspected broken ribs and use of tasers against them. In addition to the physical abuse, participants described degrading treatment, sexual harassment, and humiliation. Several women reported that Israeli authorities forcibly ripped off their hijabs.
We urge everyone to immediately CALL Congress, the U.S. State Department, and your elected representatives. Demand the immediate release and protection of all kidnapped volunteers. And, importantly, DEMAND that the U.S. government and elected officials publicly condemn Israel’s piracy and brutality. What self-respecting country can remain silent while its citizens are treated like this?
We must not allow this to pass without collective pressure, visibility, and action. If Israel is willing to do this to foreign nationals in front of cameras, imagine what they are doing to Palestinians in their dungeons.
Please amplify the following videos:
- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYjyPZjqf2H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYjnhgyIbXJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D (Israeli terrorism minister Itamar Ben Gvir is heard saying “Don’t let their screams bother you.)
Here a list of all U.S. citizens abducted and their congressional representatives. The Call to Action, with phone scripts, DOS and Embassy contacts, and the delegates Congressional reps, once more, can be found here.
Please urge your elected representatives, organization, union or any collective that you are part of to make a public statement. You can find sample text here.
We also want to emphasize the situation in occupied Palestine remains increasingly dire. Israel’s killing of Palestinians and the risk of widespread famine has continued to escalate over recent weeks. Here are a few timely media re/sources:
- Palestine Chronicle. “Israeli Strikes Pound Gaza Overnight amid Growing Humanitarian Collapse.” The Palestine Chronicle, Palestine Chronicle article “Israeli airstrikes, artillery shelling and naval attacks targeted multiple areas across the Gaza Strip overnight. Seven Palestinians, including three children, were wounded in attacks targeting Gaza City and Khan Younis.”
- Human Rights Watch. “Gaza: Israel Curbs Aid, Kills Civilians During Ceasefire.” Human Rights Watch, 19 May 2026, Human Rights Watch article
- WAFA. “Israeli Occupation Continues Assault on Gaza amid Worsening Humanitarian Catastrophe.” WAFA: Palestine News & Info Agency, 20 May 2026, WAFA article
Thank your time and support. Please do share the contents of this email widely.
With hope & rage,
US Boats to Gaza team
Freedom Flotilla Coalition
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US Boats to Gaza is the U.S. member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a grassroots people-to-people solidarity movement composed of campaigns and initiatives from different parts of the world, working together to end the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza.
