Legal experts, family and Greens urge Australian Government to break silence over Israel's illegal kidnapping of eleven Australians

Legal experts, family and Greens urge Australian Government to break silence over Israel’s illegal kidnapping of eleven Australians

19 May 2026 Australia

The Australian Government is receiving increasing criticism from legal experts, family of the detainees, and Greens politicians for their silence about the illegal kidnapping of eleven Australians by Israel, in international waters last night.

At this time there are still 9 boats sailing towards Gaza, they are approximately 100 nautical miles from Gazan shores. Their progress can be tracked here.

Footage and photos of the interception, statements from those being held hostage, and a full list of participants and their bios can be found here.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Alexa Stuart: 0423 361 030

Jane Salmon 0417 919 354

Subhi Awad: 0408 760 991

Greg Barns SC and Bernadette Zaydan, lawyers supporting some of the Australians involved in the flotilla:

“Israel has demonstrated a documented pattern of harm against civilian humanitarian workers.

“It is necessary to highlight that Australia is a party to all core international human rights treaties, and accordingly carries binding obligations under international law. The passage of the GSF is lawful under International Humanitarian Law, including Rule 55 concerning access for humanitarian relief to civilians in need.

“We urge the Australian government to provide urgent diplomatic and consular measures be taken to monitor the safety and

wellbeing of Australian participants involved in the GSF mission;

1. Australian citizens be provided with timely access to legal and consular assistance now that interception has commenced. We require an update on our citizens' whereabouts and whether they will be detained on the prison ship or taken against their will to Israel.
2. Urgent diplomatic representations be made to prevent participants from being subjected to unlawful harm, arbitrary detention, or interference while undertaking humanitarian activities; and
3. Appropriate steps be taken to ensure that Australian citizens retain access to communication, medical assistance, and legal representation should any incident occur.” 

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens Deputy Leader said:

“Israel is able to commit acts of piracy and kidnapping in international waters with complete impunity because countries like Australia refuse to stand up for their citizens. Israel attacked the humanitarian flotilla last month and predictably they have just done it again. It is frightening how little the Australian Government cares.  

“Just a few months ago, the PM and Foreign Minister were wining and dining the President of the genocidal Israeli regime. They should have already picked up the phone to demand the release and safe passage of all Australians aboard the Flotilla, and they should leave no stone unturned. Instead, we have silence.” 

Julie Webb-Pullman, mother of Bianca Webb-Pullman. Julie has also spent time in Gaza as a journalist:

"Serial kidnappers have done it again - abducted my daughter in international waters while she was legally delivering humanitarian aid. Yet our pathetic Prime Minister cannot even rustle up a condemnation, let alone demand accountability. This is the second time in a month he has had the opportunity to show principled leadership and support for his citizens - and the second time he has failed.

“How long is the Australian government going to behave as if international law doesn't apply to us? The ICJ ruling is very clear - we have an obligation to prevent genocide and to hold those committing it to account. He should not put them on a pedestal and parade them around our cities as he did with Herzog - he should be demanding our children's immediate release, and ending Australian complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Senator David Shoebridge, Australian Greens Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Justice:

“I met with the brave Australians who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla before they left to deliver critical humanitarian aid to Gaza in the face of genocide. That is an act of extraordinary courage.

“Israel responded to the Sumud flotilla with one of the most extreme acts of aggression yet, striking the humanitarian convoy in international waters one thousand kilometres from Gaza’s shores.

“Despite Israel’s grossly illegal attack, and the illegal assault and imprisonment of Australians who were aboard, the Albanese Labor government has remained silent.

“Israel’s violent attacks on humanitarian aid missions in international waters are gross breaches of international law.

“It’s a powerful statement on the courage of the Albanese government that Greg Barns SC and Bernadette Zaydan are doing far more to protect the rights of these young Australians than their own government.”

Ethan Floyd, Global Sumud Flotilla participant who was illegally kidnapped two weeks ago, and has returned to Australia (0431 727 887):

“This is now the second time Israel has illegally abducted Australian citizens in international waters, and our government has said nothing. 

“It is not a radical act to attempt to deliver food water and medicine to a starving population. In fact, it is a desperately reasonable act.

“The Albanese government must condemn the kidnapping of its citizens by a foreign country. And it must follow that condemnation up with real sanctions, political and economic, on the rogue state of Israel. 

“For as long as Australia continues to support Israel’s genocide, Australians will keep sailing. And until Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong show they have the guts to stand up for human rights and international law, we’ll keep doing their job for them.”

Prof David Heilpern, Jewish-Australian lawyer and lecturer.

"If I was starving, I would want people to bring me food. It is not unlawful for civilians to seek to bring aid to starving people. Indeed, there is a humanitarian and legal obligation to do so.”

Chris O’Connor (Neve Barwick O’Connor’s father)

I'm afraid but also proud of Neve. She is on an unarmed humanitarian mission to deliver life-saving aid. Her abduction 1,200km from Gaza shows the lengths Israel will go to prevent food and medicine reaching Gaza's starving people.

"The Australian Government's silence is appalling. Our people have been taken at gunpoint in international waters. We need Albanese to pick up the phone and call his mate Herzog to ensure our people are safe and can deliver their aid to Gaza."