ISTANBUL Oct 2, 2025 — Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a fiery denunciation of Israel’s naval raid on the Global Sumud Flotilla, labeling the operation an “act of terrorism” and drawing stark parallels to the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara incident that strained Ankara-Jerusalem ties for years.
The condemnation came swiftly after Israeli commandos boarded at least six vessels in international waters late Wednesday, detaining over 30 activists—including climate activist Greta Thunberg—from more than 20 countries, and seizing humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. Top Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, decried the action as “barbaric,” evoking memories of the 2010 clash when Israeli forces killed 10 activists aboard a Turkish ship in the flotilla, an event that prompted Turkey to sever diplomatic ties with Israel until a partial thaw in 2016.
“Israel’s aggression against unarmed civilians and humanitarian aid is unacceptable and constitutes state terrorism,” the Foreign Ministry stated in an official release, urging the international community to impose sanctions and investigate the raid under international law. The ministry highlighted the flotilla’s cargo of medicine and food, intended to pierce Israel’s 18-year blockade amid warnings of famine in Gaza, where aid restrictions have left half a million Palestinians at risk.
In Istanbul, the backlash erupted into the streets as thousands rallied near the historic Galata Bridge and the U.S. consulate, blocking traffic and chanting “Free Palestine” while waving Turkish and Palestinian flags. Protesters targeted American support for the blockade, burning effigies and hurling accusations at Washington for enabling Israel’s actions. “This is not just about Gaza—it’s about global complicity,” one organizer told reporters amid the throng, as police formed perimeters to contain the swelling crowd.
The demonstrations built on simmering tensions, coming just three days after Turkish coast guard and rescue teams evacuated activists from a flotilla vessel that began taking on water off the Gaza coast, a dramatic rescue that delayed the convoy but underscored Turkey’s logistical backing for the mission. Erdogan, a vocal champion of Palestinian causes, has leveraged the incident to renew calls for United Nations intervention, positioning Turkey as a linchpin in global flotilla efforts since the 2010 tragedy.
As detained activists faced processing at Israel’s Ashdod Port, the Global Sumud Coalition praised Turkey’s stance, vowing more convoys to challenge what they call a “stranglehold” on Gaza. Israel’s Foreign Ministry countered that the interception enforced a “lawful blockade” in a combat zone to curb arms smuggling, insisting no injuries occurred during the operation.
Turkey’s response signals a potential diplomatic escalation, with analysts warning it could revive old rifts and rally Muslim-majority nations against Israel amid the broader regional conflict. In Ankara, lawmakers debated summoning Israel’s ambassador, while solidarity marches spread to Ankara and Izmir, amplifying Erdogan’s push for accountability on the world stage.