Freedom Flotilla Defies Israeli Blockade of Gaza
The vessel Madleen,
the lead ship of the Freedom Flotilla
2025 bringing medical and other supplies to Gaza, was intercepted and
seized by Israeli
forces on June 10 in international waters about 185 km from Gaza. Among
the 12
detained crew members, from France, Türkiye, Sweden, Spain and the
Netherlands, were
Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, Al Jazeera Journalist
Omar Faiad and climate activist Greta Thunberg. Al Jazeera
reported that
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir instructed prison
authorities to hold
the 12 in solitary confinement in the port city of Ashdod where they
had been
taken.
As of June 11, four of the activists detained have been deported
while the others remain in detention. A statement issued by the Freedom
Flotilla Coalition (FFC) reads: "Israel is handling the custody of all
12 as though they had entered illegally -- even though they were
forcibly abducted from international waters and brought into Israel
against their will."
"Each of the volunteers was given two
options: sign documents consenting to deportation, or remain in
detention and appear before a tribunal. The FFC had encouraged some
volunteers, if given the option, to agree to expedited deportation in
order to restore access to communication -- including the ability to
speak freely and advocate for their fellow participants.
"All of
them explicitly disputed the claim of unlawful entry in writing,
affirming that Israeli law does not apply to them, that their mission
was humanitarian in nature, and that both the boat’s interception
and their detention are illegal."
The attack on the Madleen followed an earlier drone attack on another Freedom Flotilla ship, Conscience, on May 2 off the coast of Malta where it was to pick up supplies and 44 passengers.
Huwaida Arraf, human rights attorney and Freedom Flotilla organizer, said in a June 9 press release from the coalition, "This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ's [International Court of Justice] binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza."
The press release ends:
"We demand:
- An end to the illegal and deadly siege of Gaza.
- The immediate release of all abducted volunteers;
- The immediate delivery of humanitarian aid directly to Palestinians that is independent of the control of the occupying power
- Full accountability for the military assaults on Madleen and Conscience;
"Governments must fulfill their obligations under international law and stop enabling Israel's crimes. We are undeterred. We will sail again. We will not stop until the siege ends and Palestine is free."
Children gather on beach
in Gaza, June 10, 2025 to stand with the Madleen, seized by Israeli
forces.
(With files from Al Jazeera and Freedom Flotilla Coalition)
This article was published in
Volume 55 Number 12 - June 11, 2025
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2025/Articles/TS55123.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca