LEGAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON ISRAEL'S ACTION RELATING TO THE FREE GAZA FLOTILLA
13، Oct 2010
Is Israel entitled to intercept and board ships in international waters?
All ships sailing in the high seas come under the international law principle of exclusive flag jurisdiction, which states that vessels on the high seas are subject to no authority except that of the State whose flag they fly”. The basic position is that unless an exception applies, Israel has no right to intercept or board ships flying the flag of another State in the high seas.