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THE directive for 23 Malaysian activists detained in Israel during the Global Sumud Flotilla mission to sign deportation letters has been described by security and international relations experts as a “prudent, lawful, and humanitarian step” that guaranteed their safe and swift release, rather than a “surrender of principle.”
Experts emphasised that the flotilla’s intent was never to provoke confrontation but to send a symbolic message of solidarity with the people of Gaza. The deportation was a practical legal process designed to safeguard Malaysian citizens, aligning with the government’s longstanding priority of protecting its nationals in conflict zones.
“The main goal of the Global Sumud Flotilla was never to engage in confrontation, arrests, or fighting with Israel. The primary objective was to send a message to the whole world,” Prof Dr Mohd Mizan Mohamad Aslam, Senior Lecturer at the National Defence University of Malaysia’s Department of International Relations, Security, and Law, told Bernama.
He explained that while the flotilla carried humanitarian supplies such as food, aid packages, and infant formula, the amount was modest compared to the vessel’s size. “What truly mattered was conveying a message to the international community, especially to the Western powers such as the United States, NATO, and others,” he said. The mission sought to demonstrate that ordinary citizens could stand in solidarity with Gaza despite the blockade.
“We wanted to show that even as ordinary citizens, just 500 people among eight billion, we could still take action and demonstrate solidarity with the people of Gaza by delivering essential aid,” he added.
Prof Mizan also addressed criticisms directed at the Foreign Ministry, stating the mission was not intended to provoke conflict but to highlight Gaza’s dire situation and expose the cruelty of the Israeli blockade. “It was never about provoking confrontation; it was about highlighting the dire situation in Gaza and exposing the inhumane actions and cruelty of the Israeli authorities, who continue to impose an illegal blockade restricting land, sea, and air access,” he said.
Once the activists were detained, the immediate focus shifted to ensuring their safety and securing their prompt release. “The main aim was to deliver the message and complete the mission. Once our citizens were detained, the best course of action was to ensure their release and departure as quickly as possible, without prolonging their stay or risking further abuse or humiliation,” Prof Mizan said.
He commended Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan for his timely and wise actions. “I think the action taken by our foreign minister was the right and timely one. We had already achieved the goal, reaching close to Gaza after enduring over 30 days at sea, facing rough waters, drone threats, and various technical problems. Eventually, we were intercepted and taken to Ashdod by Israeli forces. That marked the completion of our mission,” he explained.
“The next step was to leave the country as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary complications. I believe this was the best and most practical decision under the circumstances,” he added.
Prof Mizan highlighted the thorough preparations made prior to the flotilla’s departure, involving close coordination between Wisma Putra’s legal arm Sentra in Amman, Jordan, and ADALAH, a coalition of human rights lawyers operating in Egypt and Jordan. “They were ready to assist any detainees if arrests occurred, which they eventually did,” he said.
He praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his proactive diplomacy, coordinating directly with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Malaysian diplomats in Ankara to ensure assistance for the detainees. “Since Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, Türkiye’s mission in Israel became our vital channel. Turkish lawyers already present in Israel represented both Türkiye and Malaysia, symbolically carrying two flags,” Prof Mizan said.
This multi-layered strategy included legal coordination from Amman, on-ground support from ADALAH, and personal engagement between the two heads of government. The Foreign Minister also reached out to the United States and ASEAN partners, such as Vietnam, to reinforce diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, Prof Madya Dr Siti Darwinda Mohamed Pero of Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Centre of International Studies described the decision to sign deportation letters as a practical necessity to ensure detainees’ safety. “The detained Malaysians were treated in the context of ‘illegal entry’. Hence, it will be faster and safer to be deported out,” she said.
She emphasised that agreeing to deportation should not be mistaken for a loss of principle. The detainees’ objective of raising global awareness about Gaza’s humanitarian crisis was fulfilled, she said, adding that Malaysia has persistently sought diplomatic solutions to the Gaza conflict.
The government’s consistent focus on the safe return of citizens from conflict zones is well established. “The evacuation of Malaysians from Egypt during the Arab Spring is a good example,” Prof Siti Darwinda noted. “Remember the MH17 tragedy? The priority then was negotiating for the recovery and return of the bodies, rather than blaming who shot the aircraft down.”
The controversy surrounding Foreign Minister Mohamad’s advice reflects a misunderstanding of a carefully considered diplomatic strategy, she added. The legal approach was coordinated with the ADALAH legal team in Israel to ensure the swift and safe release of Malaysian detainees.
“This was a success story. Congratulations to our brave heroes and heroines who represented 37 million Malaysians, showing the world that despite not having any formal relations or trade with Israel, we stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestine through this humanitarian mission,” Prof Mizan said.
Last Thursday, the 23 Malaysian volunteers on the Global Sumud Flotilla were detained by Israeli forces after their vessel was intercepted in the waters of the R3 Red Zone in the Mediterranean Sea.
They were taken to the port of Ashdod before being released. The volunteers departed Ramon Airport at 6.45 pm Malaysian time on Saturday and arrived in Istanbul at 8.40 pm.
Gaza-Bound Flotilla Nears International Waters off Egypt’s Alexandria
In new development, Bernama-Anadolu reported that the International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza announced on Sunday that its 11-vessel convoy is now positioned off the coast of Alexandria in international waters, approximately 560 kilometres from Gaza.
In a statement, the committee reaffirmed its mission: “Our goal is Gaza – to break the siege, stop the ongoing extermination, and secure a maritime corridor.”
On Saturday, the committee revealed that two additional boats had joined the latest wave of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s efforts to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, bringing the total number of vessels en route to 11. This follows Israel’s recent interception and attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a network of international civil society organisations, has repeatedly attempted since 2010 to break the blockade and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Last Thursday, Israeli naval forces attacked and seized vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining more than 470 activists from over 50 countries. The flotilla had been attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s ongoing blockade of the territory.
Israel has maintained the blockade of Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million people, for almost 18 years. Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments have resulted in the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians in the enclave, mostly women and children, leaving the region largely uninhabitable. The blockade has also contributed to widespread famine within Gaza. - October 5, 2025