Gaza support ship activists accuse Israel of ‘forcibly intercepting’ vessel as Israeli overseas ministry says ship heading to Israel – stay | Israel
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Freedom Flotilla Coalition accuses Israel of ‘forcibly intercepting’ the Madleen
In an announcement simply launched, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has accused Israel of “forcibly intercepting” the Madleen and performing with “complete impunity”.
It says that at 3.02am CET, the ship was “unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew kidnapped, and its life-saving cargo—together with child components, meals and medical provides—confiscated.”
“Israel has no authorized authority to detain worldwide volunteers aboard the Madleen,” stated Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser.
These volunteers aren’t topic to Israeli jurisdiction and can’t be criminalized for delivering support or difficult an unlawful blockade—their detention is unfair, illegal, and should finish instantly.”
Key occasions
Amongst these on board the Madleen was Omar Faiad, a journalist with the Al Jazeera community. He was broadcasting from the vessel till communication was lower because it was intercepted by the Israeli navy.
In a video shared by Al Jazeera, the passengers are seen sat round a desk with their arms raised as mild shines on to them from outdoors. A loudspeaker within the distance tells them “don’t be afraid.”
One of many crew tells them to “assume their positions”. He goes on to say “we’re being intercepted proper now.”
A voice then instructions that “telephones are thrown into the water”, however it’s unclear who’s saying this.
Worldwide response to the Madleen’s interception continues to roll in. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – America’s largest Muslim civil rights organisation – condemned the transfer, calling it a “blatant act of worldwide piracy.”
In an announcement, CAIR nationwide govt director Nihad Awad stated: “We applaud Greta Thunberg and the opposite activists of the Madleen who bravely risked their security and freedom to assist the ravenous folks of Gaza.”
We name on governments – particularly western governments funding Israel’s genocide and Arab Muslim governments watching it occur – to point out an iota of the braveness demonstrated by these on the Madleen by utilizing each device at their disposal to drive an finish to the genocide.”
In France, crowds are reportedly gathering on the Place de la République to protest the motion. Amongst these on board the Madleen is Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament.
And in Australia, snap protest have been known as in not less than three states – together with Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.
Israeli media report Madleen shall be taken to Ashdod
Israeli media are reporting that the Madleen and its passengers shall be taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
The Jerusalem Submit has stated that the the army’s naval unit, Shayetet 13, was answerable for the interception at round 3am native time.
Earlier we had an announcement from the Israeli overseas ministry, saying these on board could be “anticipated to return to their house international locations.”
Earlier, Israel’s overseas ministry launched a video of a consultant of the nation’s navy speaking with the Madleen.
In it, the official says over a loudspeaker that the coast of Gaza “is closed,” including that in the event that they want to ship support they’re able to by means of “established channels” by way of the Israeli port of Ashdod.
The Israeli Navy is at present speaking with the “selfie yacht”. Utilizing a world civilian communication system, the Israeli Navy has instructed the “selfie yacht” to alter its course as a result of its strategy towards a restricted space. pic.twitter.com/KnSqWrsXU2
— Israel International Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 8, 2025
Within the hours earlier than the Madleen was intercepted, Yasemin Acar, one of many activists who was on board, posted a collection of movies on-line documenting the ultimate moments of the voyage.
In a single, she movies a drone flying above the ship, telling her followers they’re taking cowl. Later she says she is masking her face as a result of a white liquid has been sprayed on the deck of the vessel.
They did say they need to intercept us in a relaxed means, however this isn’t what is going on.”
Within the closing video posted from on board she tells her supporters the Madleen is being “intercepted”. Within the background, one other activist tells the passengers to throw their telephones overboard whereas a loudspeaker within the background says “don’t be afraid.”
Francesca Albanese, the UN particular rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, has known as on others to ship support vessels to Gaza, including “BreakingTheSiege is a authorized responsibility for states, and an ethical crucial for all of us.”
Whereas #Madleen should be launched instantly, each Mediterranean port ought to ship boats with support, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail collectively—united, they are going to be unstoppable.”
Whereas #Madleen should be launched instantly, each Mediterranean port ought to ship boats with support, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail collectively—united, they are going to be unstoppable.#BreakingTheSiege is a authorized responsibility for states, and an ethical crucial for all of us. pic.twitter.com/FeaD1Fq4Dk
— Francesca Albanese, UN Particular Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) June 9, 2025
The Madleen left the port of Catania in Sicily, southern Italy, on 1 June and was trying to succeed in Gaza to herald a symbolic quantity of support and lift worldwide consciousness of the persevering with humanitarian disaster.
A months-long support blockade on the territory was barely eased in mid-Could, permitting a restricted quantity of humanitarian support into the territory. However malnutrition is spreading, medics and support staff have warned, with UN officers describing Gaza as “the hungriest place on Earth”.
On Sunday, Israel’s overseas minister stated he would “not permit anybody to interrupt the naval blockade on Gaza, whose main function is to forestall the switch of weapons to Hamas.”
Israel’s plan to pay attention meals supply in hubs guarded by personal safety contractors and the Israeli army and offered by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Basis (GHF) has proved to be chaotic and harmful, critics say.
At the least 4 folks have been killed and others wounded by Israeli fireplace on Sunday, a few kilometre from a meals distribution level in Gaza, Palestinian medics and officers stated. The deaths carry the quantity of people that have been killed whereas looking for meals in Gaza since 27 Could, when GHF grew to become answerable for civilian meals provision, to 110. Greater than 1,000 have been injured.
Final month, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition stated one other of its vessels was bombed by drones and disabled whereas in worldwide waters off Malta because it headed in the direction of Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the group working the vessel, is posting a collection of pre-recorded movies on-line of activist who have been on board the Madleen.
In a single, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg says, “should you see this video we now have been intercepted and kidnapped in worldwide waters.” She calls on her supporters to place “stress on the Swedish authorities to launch me and the others as quickly as potential.”
In one other, French activist Reve Viard says “If you’re seeing this video, it means we bought intercepted by the Israeli forces.” He asks that his supporters share the video, to “put stress on the French authorities so the we may very well be launched with our associates.”
Earlier than communication with the vessel was misplaced, Yanis Mhamdi, a French journalist on board the Madleen, posted this video on-line, which apparently exhibits a drone, flying over the ship.
Je suis journaliste et après avoir couvert pendant une semaine le convoi de la Feeedom Flotilla mon arrestation par l’armée israélienne est imminente. Des humanitaires et des journalistes n’ont pas être arrêté J’appelle tous mes confrères à se mobiliser. @blast_france pic.twitter.com/T1hiNZXLQf
— Yanis Mhamdi (@yanmdi) June 8, 2025
Within the put up he writes, “I’m a journalist, and after protecting the Freedom Flotilla convoy for per week, my arrest by the Israeli military is imminent. Humanitarian staff and journalists shouldn’t be arrested. I name on all my colleagues to mobilize.”
Israel releases video of passengers from the Madleen
Israel’s overseas ministry has posted a video of the activists from the Madleen, together with French MEP Rima Hassan and local weather activist Greta Thunberg.
In its put up, the ministry stated “All of the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are protected and unhurt. They have been supplied with sandwiches and water. The present is over.”
The organisation behind the help mission stated in an announcement earlier that the Israeli military boarded the vessel and “kidnapped” the crew.
We had an announcement from the Israeli overseas ministry within the final hour, saying these on board could be “anticipated to return to their house international locations.”
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