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A LEGAL team from The Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (ADALAH) has begun formal consultations with Malaysian delegates detained by Israeli forces at Ashdod Port following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
The move comes as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim leads Malaysia’s highest-level diplomatic efforts yet to secure the release of the 23 detained citizens, according to Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim, Director-General of the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC).
“All of them have been found safe and in good health. SNCC can confirm that ADALAH, the legal team we appointed, has now begun consultations with our detained flotilla participants,” Dr Sani said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
“Diplomatic negotiations are being pursued at the highest level by the Prime Minister himself, alongside leaders from Turkiye, Qatar, the United States Secretary of State, and other strategic partners to secure their immediate release,” he added.
Dr Sani also confirmed that the families of the Malaysian delegates have been moved to a hotel, where they are receiving psychological and emotional support from SNCC staff.
“We want to make sure they are not left in worry or distress. The Prime Minister has conveyed his greetings and assured me this morning that he is personally overseeing the matter, together with the Foreign Minister and other Cabinet members.”
The Prime Minister has also publicly condemned Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for labelling the GSF volunteers as “terrorists”, calling the remark “insulting” and “outrageous”.
“Ben Gvir’s voice—who does it represent? It comes from the terrorists of Israel. And so, the biggest terrorist gives out the labels,” said Anwar, after Friday prayers in Kuala Lumpur.
“These activists didn’t bring weapons or kill anyone—they brought food, water and medicine. How can they be called terrorists? This is an outrageous statement,” he told the media.
A widely circulated video of Ben Gvir boarding one of the seized vessels and claiming that activists were in possession of chemicals has sparked outrage and ridicule online.
The GSF, comprising 44 vessels and over 450 humanitarian activists from 47 countries—including Greta Thunberg, Susan Sarandon and Mandla Mandela—was intercepted by Israeli naval forces in an operation spanning several hours.
According to news reports, all vessels have now been seized, with some 500 activists detained.
Malaysian activist Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri confirmed that the 23 Malaysian detainees are currently held at Ashdod Port, and that legal communication has been established.
Malaysia’s Embassy in Amman is coordinating with ASEAN partners in Amman and Tel Aviv and continues to provide consular assistance to the detainees.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has condemned the interceptions and announced that a separate 11-ship convoy, *A Thousand Madeleines to Gaza*, is continuing its journey from Europe.
The FFC said the vessels, flying Italian and French flags, last reported their location near Crete. Amnesty International and the governments of Turkiye, Spain, South Africa and Canada have all condemned Israel’s actions and demanded the immediate release of all detained activists.
The GSF is part of a broader effort to challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza, which humanitarian groups say constitutes collective punishment in violation of international law. - October 3, 2025