Press Release - 2025-07-01

Every day, the situation in Gaza deteriorates further, and we are left without words to fully conceptualize the urgency of centering the ongoing live-streamed genocide. More than ever, Gaza must be at the heart of global consciousness—especially now, as over half a million people have once again been forcibly displaced from northern to southern Gaza, yet mainstream media remains silent. 

ASAP finds every initiative that disrupts this silence and centers Gaza to be vital. The Global Sumud Flotilla is one such initiative. On Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th of September, two of its boats were struck in what seems to be drones attacks while docked in Tunisia. This mission, aimed at delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian population, must be allowed to proceed safely and without obstruction. 

Recent threats by Israel’s National Security Minister to halt the flotilla, detain all participants, and confiscate the ships would constitute flagrant violations of international law—including arbitrary deprivation of liberty and collective punishment of civilians. 

In January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found a “real and imminent risk” of genocide in Gaza and ordered Israel to ensure the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid. Any action preventing the delivery of such aid may violate the Genocide Convention. 

Furthermore, a naval blockade is only lawful if proportionate to the anticipated military advantage and must not inflict collective punishment. After 17 years of blockade and with famine now confirmed in Gaza, the blockade is clearly disproportionate and illegal. 

All States Parties to the Geneva Conventions must respect and ensure respect for these laws. States must end their complicity in Israel’s genocide. 

ASAP calls upon Switzerland to uphold its responsibility as guardian of international humanitarian law and Depositary State of the Geneva Conventions. We demand that Switzerland protect the life and physical integrity of its nationals and all participants in the Flotilla. 

In a time when the Swiss government has failed to impose sanctions on Israel, or take diplomatic action against the occupation of Gaza and the annexation of the West Bank—actions that go beyond complicity—we still demand accountability. We call on Switzerland to reclaim its humanity and demonstrate agency by protecting Swiss citizens and all those involved in the Freedom Flotilla. 

ASAP urges all States to pressure Israel to end the genocide, allow the Flotilla to proceed unhindered, to open all crossings for aid delivery, to uphold the right of self-determination, and right to return for the Palestinian people.