Skip to main content

What steps, if any, has the Minister taken to ensure that all New Zealand citizens detained by the Israeli Defense Force following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Crete on or around 1 May 2026 have been able to make contact with their family members, and at what point following the interception were families first notified of their detention and condition?

Answered Question 18503 (2026)
Question published
Reply lodged
Bookmark

Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • What steps, if any, has the Minister taken to ensure that all New Zealand citizens detained by the Israeli Defense Force following the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Crete on or around 1 May 2026 have been able to make contact with their family members, and at what point following the interception were families first notified of their detention and condition?

Answered by

Rt Hon Winston Peters

List MP · NZ First · Minister of Foreign Affairs

Answer

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been in contact with the affected individuals and has provided extensive consular updates to their families. A number of family members contacted the Ministry within hours of the incident. The Ministry contacted other known family contacts within 24 hours of the interception. For privacy reasons, further information cannot be provided.