The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today calls on all Americans to demand the Trump Administration call for the immediate, unconditional release of American citizens and civilian activists abducted by Israeli forces while en route to Gaza delivering humanitarian aid, including baby formula and emergency supplies.
CAIR also urges Americans to demand full transparency regarding their conditions, legal access, and safe return, as well as diplomatic pressure from U.S. leadership to hold Israel accountable and ensure protections for future humanitarian missions.
On October 2, 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla—over 40 vessels carrying roughly 500 volunteers, including American citizens—was intercepted in international waters by Israeli naval forces. Many vessels were boarded or detained, detainees reportedly denied legal counsel, and their whereabouts remain uncertain. The detention of civilians conducting humanitarian missions violates basic human rights and due process protections.
“The detention of these humanitarian volunteers, including American citizens, is deeply troubling and completely unacceptable,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “These are civilians engaged in delivering essential aid to people in desperate need in Gaza. Denying them legal counsel, holding them incommunicado, and putting them at risk for simply performing humanitarian work is a flagrant violation of human rights and the principles the United States stands for. We urge the U.S. government to act immediately to secure their safe release and make clear that targeting Americans performing humanitarian missions will not be tolerated.”
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com