? Is Albo Awake? Kirribilli House Dawn Vigil for Global Sumud Flotilla Aussies:

Dawn vigil to be held at Kirribilli house in response to illegal kidnapping of 11 Australian humanitarian volunteers by Israel

WHAT: Dawn candlelight vigil at Kirribili House for Australians aboard Global Sumud Flotilla and people of Palestine

WHEN: 6am, Wednesday 20 May

WHERE: Kirribilli House, 109 Kirribilli Ave, Kirribilli NSW 2061

WHO: 

• Ethan Floyd, who has returned home after being kidnapped and detained by Israel two weeks ago 
• Parents of Australian currently in Israeli detainment (TBC)

11 Australians have been kidnapped by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) after its navy intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters west of Cyprus yesterday.

We have confirmed that Neve O'Connor, Sam Woripa Watson, Anny Mokotow, Isla Lamont, Juliet Lamont, Surya McEwen, Zack Schofield, Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman, Gemma O'Toole, Violet Coco and Helen O'Sullivan are among the hundreds of activists kidnapped by Israel over the past 20 hours.

You can find participant bios, and interception photos and videos here.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Alexa Stuart: 0423 361 030

Jane Salmon 0417 919 354

BACKGROUND:

At 5:30pm AEST yesterday, the Israeli occupation forces began a naval interception operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in international waters west of Crete. The interception is still ongoing.

38 boats have so far been intercepted and almost 400 activists have been kidnapped by the Israeli navy. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

This attack on the flotilla comes just weeks after Israel's first attempt to dismantle the fleet when it conducted a surprise interception between Italy and Greece, 1000km from Gaza's shores and Israel's occupied territory. 175 activists, including six Australians, were kidnapped and held on board a prison ship for two days at sea before being released to Greek authorities in Crete. Many continued the mission, including Surya McEwen, Neve O'Connor, Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman and Zack Schofield. Surya, Bianca and Juliet Lamont were also imprisoned in October 2025 when they participated in the last Global Sumud Flotilla mission to Gaza.

At this time, 13 boats continue sailingsteadfastly for Gaza. Alongside them, a convoy has embarked on the same mission by land, traveling through Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza and bring aid to the people of Palestine.

The flotilla organisers and members of the public are calling on Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese to:

1. Demand the safe release of all Australian humanitarian volunteers detained by Israel
2. Publicly condemn Israel’s kidnapping of Australian citizens
3. Stop arming and supporting Israel

INTERCEPTION COVERAGE:

What we know about Israel’s interception of Gaza aid flotilla – Al Jazeera

Abducted flotilla activists release pre-recorded messages calling for help – Al Jazeera (with Neve O'Connor, Sam Woripa Watson, Surya McEwen and Isla Lamont)

Israeli forces intercept Gaza flotilla with Australians on board, organisers say – ABC News

GSF official channels:

GSF site: https://globalsumudflotilla.org/

Flotilla tracker: https://globalsumudflotilla.org/tracker/

Flotilla livestream: https://globalsumudflotilla.org/live/

The flotilla organisers and members of the public are calling on Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese to:

4. Demand the safe release of all Australian humanitarian volunteers detained by Israel
5. Publicly condemn Israel’s kidnapping of Australian citizens
6. Stop arming and supporting Israel