French activists lawyers urge Paris to join ICJ case against 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
3 Oct 2025 15:08
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The lawyers representing the French activists on the Sumud Flotilla speak to Al Mayadeen, urging Paris to join South Africa’s ICJ case against "Israel".

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French lawyer and represanatative of French activists detained by Israeli authorities, Raphael Kempf (R), speaks to Al Mayadeen correspondent Moussa Assi, on October 3, 2025, in Paris, France, on October 3, 2025. (Al Mayadeen)

French lawyers representing activists detained aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) have urged the French government to join South Africa’s case against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), citing grave violations of international law.

Speaking to Al Mayadeen, French lawyer Raphael Kempf, one of the lawyers who represents the detainees, stressed that "Israel’s" hijacking of the flotilla constituted a blatant breach of international law and an assault on civilians seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“We call on France to join the case South Africa has brought before the International Court of Justice against Israel,” Kempf stated, adding, "We have no information about the French detainees in Israel, nor do we know in which prison they are being held."

According to Kempf, 34 French nationals are among the hundreds of volunteers abducted after Israeli occupation forces stormed the flotilla in international waters. He condemned Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the detainees as an unlawful act that would be considered illegal in any country.

Abuse, humiliation of French detainees

Another French lawyer revealed that a shocking video shows Ben-Gvir verbally abusing the French detainees upon their forced arrival at Isdud port, where he insulted and humiliated them.

“We learned of a disturbing and shocking video showing Israeli minister Ben-Gvir insulting the French detainees at Ashdod port and directing verbal abuse against them,” the lawyer told Al Mayadeen.

The legal team has presented a detailed account of the complaints filed and legal measures underway to hold Israeli authorities accountable for their actions.

Flotilla hijacked in international waters

On October 1-2, Israeli occupation forces launched a wide-scale assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of 42 boats carrying international activists and humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. Organizers confirmed that Israeli naval forces intercepted the ships in international waters, detaining more than 443 volunteers from 47 countries.

The vessels were later towed to the Israeli-occupied Isdud port, where the activists remain under unlawful detention. Flotilla organizers have denounced the operation as a piracy act and called for urgent international intervention to ensure the detainees’ safety and immediate release.