Israeli forces have seized the aid boat headed for Gaza, in what has been described as a ‘violation of international law’ – here’s how you can support them
The Madleen, a charity vessel sent to Gaza by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), has been “forcibly” intercepted by Israeli naval forces. In a new statement shared by the crew, they write that the ship was “unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo – including baby formula, food and medical supplies confiscated”.
The Madleen has a 12-person crew that includes Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Omar Faiad, Yasemin Acar, Baptiste Andre, Thiago Avila, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi, Suayb Ordu, Sergio Toribio, Marco van Rennes, and Reva Viard.
The Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, had previously threatened to “take all necessary measures” to stop the humanitarian ship from reaching Gaza. “Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or to assist terrorist organisations – by sea, by air, and by land.” As a number of politicians, activists and human rights groups have asserted, such as Adalah, the legal centre for Arab minority rights in Israel, Israel has “no legal authority” to take over the ship because it was in international waters, headed not for Israel but for the “territorial waters of the state of Palestine”.
Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s labour minister, has also criticised Israel for seizing the Madleen as it carries humanitarian aid into Gaza, writing on Bluesky that it is a “violation of international law and demands a clear and firm response from the EU. All my solidarity to the volunteers who are being held. We call for their freeing as soon as possible. #AllEyesOnMadleen.”
After the capture of the Madleen, Israel’s Foreign Ministry released video footage of Israeli forces handing the crew food and drink, writing on X that, “All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over.” While the boat and its crew are being towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where they will reportedly be forced to watch videos of Hamas’ October 7 attacks and then flown back to their respective countries, the “show” doesn’t appear to be over. Inspired by the Madleen, a convoy of over 200 diplomats, parliamentarians, activists and volunteers has departed from Algeria toward Rafah as part of the global march to break the Israeli siege and deliver humanitarian aid.
These acts of solidarity come as the people of Gaza are subjected to “forced starvation”, as UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher described it to the BBC. Even though Israel’s blockade on Gaza has been partially lifted, the aid entering the enclave is never sufficient to meet the population’s needs. Indeed, UN agencies report continuing difficulties with getting distribution routes within Gaza agreed with the Israeli military. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported that out of 16 truckloads ready for distribution last Thursday (June 5), five were rejected, and six failed to reach their destination. Additionally, there have been reports of Israeli forces killing Palestinians at food distribution centres.
Tonight, there are protests around the world in support of the Madleen crew. In London, there will be protests at 1pm in front of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and at 6pm outside of Downing Street to demand that the UK uphold its duty under international law and prevent genocide. Each crew member of the Madleen recorded videos in case they were “abducted” by Israeli forces, asking those in their country and their governments to put pressure on Israel to expedite their release.
You can find their videos here. If you live in the UK, you can find an email template to contact your MP and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office here, and you can find similar resources to contact the French, German, Spanish, Brazilian, Swedish, Dutch, and Turkish governments here.