In a significant international incident, Israel has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship, the Madleen, preventing 12 activists on board, including renowned Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, from reaching the besieged Palestinian territory. The Israeli military reportedly “forcibly intercepted” the vessel in international waters, approximately 100 nautical miles (185 km) from Gaza, according to a statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition NGO issued on Monday. Contact with the vessel was lost by Al Jazeera at 07:00 GMT.
Among those detained by Israeli forces are notable figures such as Rima Hassan, a Palestinian Member of the European Parliament from France, along with other activists from various countries, including Thiago Avila from Brazil, Suayb Ordu from Turkiye, and Omar Faiad, a journalist for Al Jazeera Mubasher. The Israeli military has stated that the crew will undergo “interrogation” following their capture.
The interception of the Madleen has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from various international actors:
The Palestinian group Hamas denounced the interception as a “flagrant violation of international law,” demanding the immediate release of the activists and holding Israel “fully accountable for their safety.” The rights organization Al-Haq, based in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, emphasized that Israel lacks the legal authority to restrict access to Palestine, which is an exclusive right of the Palestinian people.
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, argued that the assault on the flotilla in international waters constitutes a form of piracy under international law, reiterating Iran's condemnation of Israel’s actions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkiye described Israel’s interception of the Madleen as a “clear violation of international law,” accusing Israel of acting as a terror state in its treatment of humanitarian efforts.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the immediate return of the six French nationals on board, with the Elysee Palace stating that they seek to exercise consular protection and visit the detainees.
In the UK, Downing Street has urged Israel to handle the situation involving the Madleen “safely and with restraint,” highlighting the necessity to adhere to international humanitarian law. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stressing the urgent need for more humanitarian aid.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris labeled the Madleen as a “powerful symbol” of humanitarian solidarity, condemning Israel’s actions as an affront to efforts aimed at delivering food and medicine to the people of Gaza.
Spain has summoned the charge d’affaires at the Israeli embassy in Madrid, expressing discontent over the interception. Meanwhile, the Jewish Council of Australia has voiced grave concerns for the activists, urging the Australian government to intervene and ensure the crew’s safety.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations in the United States condemned the Israeli attack as “cowardly and illegal,” commending Thunberg and the other activists for their bravery in attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The European Parliament faction The Left criticized Israel's actions as a “blatant violation of international law,” denouncing the arrest of the crew and the confiscation of aid meant for a population in immediate humanitarian distress.
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, demanded the immediate release of the Madleen, stating that breaking the siege is both a legal duty and a moral imperative for nations worldwide.
Amnesty International emphasized that as the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to ensure that civilians in Gaza receive adequate food and medicine. Agnes Callamard, the organization’s secretary-general, stated that Israel’s interception of the Madleen violates international law and urged for the boat's safe passage to deliver much-needed humanitarian supplies.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for humanitarian access and accountability for violations of international law.
