Wangerriburrah and Birri Gubba filmmaker and activist Sam Woripa Watson is among 11 Australians reportedly detained after Israeli forces intercepted a humanitarian flotilla in international waters.
According to Black Witness, Israeli forces intercepted the 38-boat Global Sumud Flotilla west of Cyprus on Monday morning Turkey time, about 400 kilometres from Gaza.
The flotilla was carrying international activists and aid intended for Gaza, with 10 boats still reportedly en route.
There has been no confirmation regarding the safety of those detained or where they have been taken.
Mr Watson comes from a Brisbane Blacks legacy in Magandjin, where activists have long stood in solidarity with Palestine and other Indigenous peoples.
Gu Gu Yalanji Elder Uncle Graham Brady, whose father Pastor Don Brady was a key leader in the Brisbane Blacks movement, said Mr Watson was continuing that legacy.
Uncle Graham linked Mr Watson's activism to his family history.
"Sam is the grandson of Sam Watson, one of our prominent figures from the Brisbane Blacks era from the 70s to the 80s to today," Uncle Graham told Black Witness.
"He was one of our true fighters from that era.
"Now, Sam's grandson (Sam Woripa Watson), has taken up that part now... so he's now in the international arena, taking the Aboriginal cause out there. And it's embedded in him - he's born in it. He's part of that already. We can see why he's over there now."
Mr Watson has helped lead Blackfulla-Palestinian solidarity movements over the past three years and has been involved in weekly protests for Indigenous people and other oppressed groups.
Munanjahli and South Sea Island woman and Institute of Collaborative Race Research co-director, Professor Chelsea Watego, called on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to support Mr Watson.
Professor Watego said there were serious concerns for his safety.
"A year ago, there was a lot of media coverage about blackfellas bunkered down in Israel, who were on a propaganda tour...there was media coverage about their safety, but they were actually in quite safe quarters," she said.
"But here we have a Blackfulla from Magandgin and we don't know where he is... there are risks on his life and safety."
Professor Watego said Mr Watson was also a staff member of ICRR.
"Sam is also a staff member of ICRR, and when you see your mob go and fight on the frontline, you have this mixed feeling," Professor Watego said.
"On the one hand, you're proud, but at the same time, you can't help but feel fear.
"We know about the violence visited upon the bodies of those on the frontline. We know what Sam is doing is right. We know what he is fighting for is a just cause."
Yuin legal advocate Martin Hodgson, from the Foreign Prisoner's Support Service, said Israel's actions were a breach of international law.
Mr Hodgson said civilian flotilla participants could not be forcibly removed in international waters without lawful justification.
"Under international law, forcibly seizing civilian flotilla participants in international waters and transporting them against their will constitutes kidnapping," Mr Hodgson told Black Witness.
"International waters are beyond the sovereign territory of any state, and no country has the legal right to arbitrarily board civilian vessels, detain passengers, and remove them by force absent a clear and lawful justification recognised under international law.
"In no way does that justification exist, they are legally flagged vessels and it is Israel who is acting like pirates in the high seas. That is a crime that demands arrest and punishment under international law!"
Other Australians reportedly detained include Neve O'Connor, Anny Mokotow, Isla Lamont, Juliet Lamont, Surya McEwen, Zack Schofield, Dr Bianca Webb-Pullman, Gemma O'Toole, Violet Coco and Helen O'Sullivan.
Previously, Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Wailwan man Ethan Floyd was detained by Israel in late April after his boat was intercepted with 175 other activists about 1000 kilometres from Gaza.
Before leaving, Mr Watson spoke to Triple A about solidarity between Black and Palestinian communities.
He said silence in the face of injustice carried its own meaning.
"I think silence is a statement in itself. We've seen complicity around the world from governments who support the actions of the state committing this genocide, and provide political and material support," Mr Watson told Triple A.
"I always say in situations of injustice, if you are silent, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
"It's something that affects everybody. It doesn't just affect blackfellas."
The flotilla movement aims to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has restricted the movement of goods and people since 2007.
Human rights organisations and international agencies have described the blockade as illegal and inhumane, with restrictions on food, water and medicine.
The Black Witness report said more than 84,000 Palestinian men, women and children had been killed in Gaza over three years, and that the toll was likely higher.
It also cited a report by UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese, which it said raised concerns about Australia's arms export network and F-35 aircraft components.
Flotilla supporters are calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Foreign Minister Penny Wong to seek the safe release of Australians detained by Israel.
To help support Mr Watson and other Australians detained, supporters are being urged to contact Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
They are calling on the Australian Government to demand the safe release of all Australian humanitarian volunteers detained by Israel, publicly condemn the detention of Australian citizens and stop arming and supporting Israel.
Original reporting by Amy McQuire, Black Witness
