Gus Salam Asserts Israel Must Be Boycotted Following Kidnapping of GSF Volunteers

KH Abdussalam Shohib, popularly known as Gus Salam, has stated that the treatment of Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) volunteers by Israeli Zionists is inhumane. He emphasised that humanitarian missions must be protected from violence and should never be subjected to captivity.

“Humanitarian aspects must be prioritised above all regulations and constraints. Even during obligatory prayers, one is permitted to break the ritual if it is an emergency situation to save a human life,” Gus Salam said in a statement on Saturday, 23 May 2026.

Furthermore, Gus Salam expressed doubt regarding Israel’s intention to adhere to international law, suggesting that the character of the Zionist regime is designed to undermine the international order. He warned that if the pursuit of a ‘Greater Israel’ is not halted, humanitarian crises will persist across West Asia or the Middle East.

He noted that the Middle East, being rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, is being contested by capitalists from the Americas and Europe. In his view, Israeli Zionism serves as a puppet for these powers to ensure the Middle East remains an unequal partner.

Gus Salam identified figures such as Benjamin Netanyahu and Itamar Ben-Gvir as examples of Zionist leaders who recognise the benefits of Israel acting as a proxy for the US and Europe. He described such leaders as arrogant and unwilling to engage in dialogue unless it serves Zionist interests.

“If this continues, the human casualties and humanitarian crises in Gaza, Jerusalem, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and other Middle Eastern nations will never cease,” he said. He added that humanitarian activists providing aid to conflict victims will continue to face obstruction, expulsion, and inhumane treatment.

Consequently, Gus Salam called for the international community to exert continuous pressure and impose sanctions on Israel. He suggested that if the United Nations is unable to act due to the veto power held by the US, France, or the UK, then every nation concerned with humanity should apply pressure and sanctions through their respective national political policies.