'Aparthied Israel': UN rapporteur calls for release of Gaza flotilla activists UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, condemned Israel over the interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, calling for the release of two activists. In a post on X, she wrote: “It is an abomination that Apartheid Israel, while continuing its genocide undisturbed, is allowed to patrol European waters, seize boats, kidnap people. Hostage taking is a crime." Palestinian and Global Sumud Flotilla hostages must be released now, she said.  The flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces on the high seas on 1 May.