Maritime Union of Australia
Statement
Israel must release all illegally-detained peace activists, including MUA Seafarer Hamish Paterson
3 October 2025
Paddy Crumlin
National Secretary
The Maritime Union of Australia and all its members stand together in demanding the immediate release of our comrade, MUA member Hamish Paterson, and all others illegally detained by the Israeli military from the Sumud Flotilla.
The Sumud Peace Flotilla is a peaceful mission of trade unionists, humanitarians and aid workers delivering vital assistance to Gaza. Their "crime" is non-violence, solidarity, compassion. Their detention is a violation of fundamental human rights and international law.
For more than 152 years, the Maritime Union of Australia, born from the Waterside Workers Federation and the Seamen's Union, has stood on the side of the oppressed. We stood against South African apartheid. We marched for peace. We blocked unjust war. We have consistently raised our voices when injustice rears its head. Our Union's history is not one of silence in the face of tyranny; it is one of action, solidarity and unwavering moral clarity.
These values and this history is what has inspired Hamish Paterson to sail to Gaza with the Sumud Flotilla with the full support of his Union and we commend his staunch commitment to these values and the principle of non-violent struggle against oppression.
Throughout his voyage to Gaza, Hamish has reported back to our members on the intimidation, violence and interference their vessels have been subjected to. Drone attacks, signal jamming and physical interception by submarines and fast boats carrying armed soldiers have been common throughout the voyage, and show the lengths Israel's military will go to in international waters to intimidate and discourage humanitarian activism.
We therefore call upon the Australian Government to:
- Provide immediate consular assistance to Hamish Paterson and all Australian nationals detained, ensuring their safety, legal representation, and access to medical attention and communication.
- Deploy all diplomatic interventions through all appropriate channels to secure the release of all Sumud Flotilla crews without delay.
- Make clear to Israel that the detention of innocent trade unionists, humanitarians, and aid workers who act in peaceful solidarity with Palestinians subject to siege and bombardment cannot be tolerated in any circumstance.
- Reexamine Australia's arms, military equipment and export approvals framework to ensure Australia is not complicit in violations of international law, human rights abuses or blockades that result in humanitarian catastrophe.
The commitment to peace, justice and solidarity that defines the MUA's long history will not be broken by illegal detention or military intimidation.
We call on all Australian people of conscience, all unions, all civil society groups, all faith communities, to join our demand for an independent, sovereign Palestine and the release of MUA seafarer Hamish Paterson and all detained Sumud Flotilla crew.
