The Global Sumud Flotilla, which has Orcas Islander Jasmine Ikeda aboard, has been intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters.

Ikeda, along with 460 other members of the fotilla, was transported from the Port of Ashdod to Ketziot Detention Center, 30 km from the Egyptian border. Around 20 Americans are being held.

“I have been in touch with Jasmine’s family, and I am working with them to advocate for her immediate release,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) in a statement on Oct. 3. “With the permission of Jasmine’s family, I can share that I have reached out to the State Department and requested the U.S. Embassy in Israel provide full and timely consular services to her. I am monitoring the situation closely to ensure Jasmine is provided with humane treatment while in custody, legal due process and is released immediately from Israeli detention.”

The flotilla is a coalition of boats attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Coordinated by activists from over 40 countries, the flotilla aims to break what organizers term Israel’s illegal blockade, create a humanitarian corridor and deliver aid directly to Gaza’s shores.

Ikeda is one of 40 participants who are currently on a hunger strike. The U.S. Embassy visited the detainees on Oct. 5, and as of this printing, three Americans have been released.

“We remain hopeful that she will be released in the next day or two,” according to the San Juan Islanders for a Ceasefire on Oct. 6.

To read a profile about Ikeda and her efforts, go here.

Ikeda was on the vessel Sirius when the Israeli military occupied it on Oct. 1. Previous live streams of the flotilla can be seen at https://globalsumudflotilla.org/live/. As the Israeli military occupied the boats, cameras from those vessels were removed. The livestream showed some boats being hit with water cannons mid-day on Oct. 1.

The flotilla has faced escalating challenges. On Sept. 4, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to designate flotilla activists as “terrorists” and seize their boats. Five days later, the threats became reality when drone attacks began targeting vessels.

The flotilla has claimed legal justification for its mission, stating that “this action is legal under international law” and that “the Israeli occupation’s blockade of Gaza constitutes collective punishment, a violation of the Geneva Conventions.”

Ikeda’s friends released the following statement to the Sounder: “Jas and the other 500 people from 40 different nations aboard the Sumud flotilla have bravely risked everything to show up with compassion and humanity for the people of Palestine and to bring them desperately needed relief, such as baby formula and wound dressings. Please take 5 minutes to call an embassy or a representative and demand their safe release.”

Congressional representative phone numbers

Congress member Rick Larsen: 202-255-4420.

Sen. Patty Murray: 202-224-2621.

Sen. Maria Cantwell: 202-224-3441,

San Juan Islanders for a Ceasefire offered the following script for use, if desired.

“(Introduce yourself and where you are from, say why you care about this issue.) I am calling to urge you to do everything in your power to ensure the U.S. State Department is pressuring the Israeli government to immediately release all detainees from the Global Sumud Flotilla, and in particular, ensure the safety of your constituent and U.S. citizen Jasmine Ikeda. We also need you to make a public statement denouncing the illegal interception and detainment of a U.S. citizen, and urge all governments — including the U.S. and Israel — to ensure that much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza now.”

Colleen Smith Summers photo. An image from the flotilla livestream taken on Oct. 1 at 8:30 p.m. PST moments before Israeli military disabled the cameras on the boat Oxygono.

Ikeda in a video posted to Instagram on Oct. 1.