Katy Davidson, a 49-year-old oyster expert from Newquay, joined more than 400 members of the Sumud Flotilla, which set off from Sicily on April 26th. The flotilla, which aimed to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing occupation and genocide, is one of several missions intercepted by the IDF over the past year. Katy is expected to arrive in Türkiye this evening, after the state organised their evacuation.

Davidson was one of 14 British citizens taking part in the aid mission. The flotilla was intercepted 250 miles from the Gaza coast in international waters, where those on board were kidnapped by IDF soldiers.

The interception on Monday was not the first that the flotilla has faced. In April, Israeli forces detained activists at gunpoint before leaving them on the island of Crete.

Katy Davidson making Mayday call from the flotilla after it was attacked by Israeli forces near Cyprus. Image provided.

In a video released yesterday by Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, activists are violently restrained, forced to kneel on the ground, and taunted by their captors. The Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv reached an agreement with Israeli forces to secure the release and evacuation of the activists, including 85 Turkish citizens.

The population of Gaza has been subjected to genocidal aggression by the Israeli Defense Forces since October of 2023, continuing a policy of isolation and brutality which began in the early 2000s. Arrest warrants were issued by the International Criminal Court for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in part due to their use starvation as a “weapon of war”.

After a famine was declared in August 2025, activists from around the world have routinely attempted to “break the blockage” on Gaza’s coastline, and deliver either symbolic or substantial volume’s of aid to starving Palestinians. The most recent attempt saw 50 boats seized by the IDF.

In response to the kidnapping, Katy’s family and the Cornwall Green Party have spoken out. In a press release, Katy’s mother, Lynn Davidson, said:

“We’ve been unable to contact Katy and have been appalled by reports of how she and others from the flotilla have been treated.

“These are people who have put themselves on the line because of the failure of their governments to address the horrific situation faced by the people of Gaza, who are powerless in the face of genocidal war crimes and occupation. The blatantly illegal abduction of the flotilla volunteers and the cruelty they’ve suffered at the hands of the Israeli authorities highlight once again that Israel is a rogue state with complete contempt for international law.

“We’re grateful to Adalah, the legal team in Ashdod, who have been exemplary – professional and compassionate – and to the Turkish government, which has been very supportive in this awful situation.”

Tom Scott, Co-ordinator of Cornwall Green Party, of which Katy is a member, said:

“Katy represents the very best of us, and very few would be brave enough to do what she and her companions on the flotilla have done. We are hoping to hear confirmation of their release soon.

“It seems that, in this case, concerted international pressure has worked. But this underlines the need for governments to take much firmer action against a state that has been committing horrific crimes against the Palestinians of Gaza and the West Bank for years, with almost complete impunity.

“Words alone are not enough. We need to see strong sanctions against Israel, including a complete end to all arms sales.”

The known deaths toll of Israel’s genocide sits at over 73,000, including more than 20,000 children. Hundreds of thousands more remain at risk of starvation due to the Israeli blockade.

Featured Image Via: globalsumudflotilla.org