Protests in Cyprus over interception of Global Sumud Flotilla

Protests took place on May 18, 2026, in both Nicosia and the northern part of the city, following reports of an Israeli interception of a vessel from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Cyprus. The flotilla consists of 52 ships carrying over 400 people from more than 45 nations, intended for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Protesters gathered outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia and near a solidarity site in the northern area to condemn the action and call for government intervention. Organizers, including the group Global Sumud Cyprus, claim that communications with the ships have been disrupted and that participants face risks of violence, including allegations of torture and sexual abuse. The organizers are urging the Cypriot government to act in accordance with international legal frameworks, including UNCLOS and the SOLAS convention. Conversely, the action is viewed by the participants as an illegal kidnapping of civilians carrying aid, while the event organizers demand that the international community and local authorities respond to the alleged violations of international law. No official response from the Israeli authorities was provided in the source texts.