Greek opposition leader Alexis Haritsis, president of the New Left party, has sharply criticized the government for remaining silent after Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir referred to detained Greek citizens — including a sitting Member of Parliament — as “terrorists.”

The incident followed the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international solidarity mission carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to opposition parties, the flotilla was boarded by Israeli forces in international waters, with 27 Greek citizens among those detained, including MP Peti Perka of the New Left.

Haritsis shared a video showing Ben-Gvir mocking the detainees as they sat on the ground, describing the scene as a humiliation for Greek citizens. “Mr. Mitsotakis, is it possible to remain silent while a member of the Hellenic Parliament is called a ‘terrorist’? While 27 Greek citizens are treated in this way?” he asked, demanding an immediate diplomatic démarche to Israel and the safe return of the detainees.

In a joint statement, four opposition parties — PASOK-KINAL, SYRIZA-PS, New Left, and Course of Freedom — also condemned Israel’s actions. They called the operation a violation of international law and the Law of the Sea, stressing that the Greek government must take “all necessary steps” to secure the release and safe return of its citizens.

The statement further denounced “the attack by Israeli military forces on vessels of the international solidarity fleet transporting humanitarian aid to Gaza,” noting that the exact whereabouts of the seized vessels and detainees remain unknown.

Separately, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also demanded the immediate release of the 27 Greeks. The Greek government has not yet issued a formal response.