Israel is drawing fire from rights groups, activists and some politicians for seizing the Gaza-bound “Freedom Flotilla” that carried humanitarian assistance, and forcibly detaining the boat’s dozen civilians in international waters ― calling the move illegal and representative of the Israeli government’s commitmentto destroying the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli military seized the “Madleen” in the middle of the night, about 120 miles from Gaza in international waters, and forcibly detained all 12 civilians from seven countries ― including climate activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. Footage from the boat carrying humanitarian aid showed those onboard in lifejackets with their hands up, and some of the activists recorded themselves giving updates on the matter until connection was severed.
“Israel has absolutely no authority to intercept and stop a boat like this, which carried humanitarian aid and, most than everything else, humanity to the people of Gaza,” said U.N. special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who was on the phone with the Madleen’s captain during the boat’s seizure. “You know, there should be state navies breaking the siege instead of a boat of volunteers risking their life. But this is what we are left with – the humanity of these volunteers.”
In the event of harm, each activist pre-recorded a videosaying they’ve been “kidnapped” by Israel, and that they urge the public to pressure their home country’s government to get them released and demand an end to the aid blockade. The Madleen was flying the flag of the United Kingdom, while the activists hail from France, Sweden, Turkey, Spain, Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands.
A sand sculpture reading ‘Madleen’ is drawn by Palestinian artist Yazeed Abu Jarad on the coast of Gaza City in support of the aid ship carrying 12 human rights activists, in Gaza on June 9. The Madleen is expected to be brought to Ashdod Port after Israeli forces intercepted it and detained the activists on board. Abdalhkem Abu Riash/Anadolu via Getty Images
“Recalling the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters, Brazil urges the Israeli government to release the detained crew members. It further stresses the need for Israel to immediately remove all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Palestinian territory, in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power,” the Brazilian government said in a statement, adding that embassies in the region are ready to provide any necessary consular assistance.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the six French nationals who were on board the Madleen ― including Hassan ― be allowed to return “as soon as possible,” according to AFP. Germany’s ambassador to Israel also confirmed he is in touch with authorities and has offered consular assistance to its one citizen in the group, while the Turkish government condemned the seizure as a “heinous attack” in international waters.
In a change of tone from the other countries, the Swedish Foreign Ministry said Thunberg is not in any danger and therefore in no need of consular support, and implied that the detained civilians bear responsibility for setting sail to Gaza despite warnings from the Swedish government.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the Madleen has since arrived at the Ashdod port, where the passengers are being processed and transferred into the custody of Israeli authorities. The government released images of Thunberg and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila at what appears to be the dock, the first look at any of the activists since Israel seized what they called the “Selfie Yacht.”
Protesters raise Palestinian flags at Place de la Republique in Paris, on June 9, calling for the release of the passengers of the sailing boat Madleen, intercepted in international waters by the Israeli army. Umit Donmez/Anadolu via Getty Images
“He is a different human being. He is a good guy, he’s a golden guy with a giant heart, and I get very concerned because he’s my little brother,” Avila’s sister Luana said in Portuguese through tears on Instagram. “And I don’t know what will happen to him. I hope that normal procedures will be followed and that there is loyalty at least in that, and [they] let him come home to us.”
The activists are allegedly expected to be charged with entering Israel illegally ― despite being forcibly taken to the country ― and held in isolation at a detention facility in Ramleh unless they agree to leave immediately, in which case they may be able to fly out of Tel Aviv as early as Monday night. The U.K. said that it wants Israel to resolve the situation “safely with restraint” and “in line with international humanitarian law,” though continued to demand the free flow of aid into the territory.
The Israeli government said it will send the Madleen’s “meager cargo” to Gaza, accusing Thunberg specifically of “feeding [her] own ego” instead of feeding Palestinians. It should be noted that Israel has been widely accused of violating international humanitarian law by blocking almost all aid from entering Gaza and intentionally starving Palestinians as a form of collective punishment.
“The Madleen’s mission emerged as a powerful symbol of solidarity with besieged, starved and suffering Palestinians amid persistent international inaction. However, this very mission is also an indictment of the international community’s failure to put an end to Israel’s inhumane blockade,” Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard said in a statement.
Protesters around the world flooded the streets on Monday, calling on their governments to protect the detained activists and follow their lead in trying to break Israel’s siege on Gaza.
“Israel’s interception of the Madleen despite global calls for it to be granted safe passage underscores the longstanding impunity Israel enjoys which has emboldened it to continue to commit genocide in Gaza and to maintain a suffocating, illegal blockade on Gaza for 18 years,” she continued. “Until we see real concrete steps by states worldwide signaling an end to their blanket support for Israel, it will have carte blanche to continue inflicting relentless death and suffering on Palestinians.”
