In a high-profile incident in the Mediterranean Sea, Israeli naval forces kidnapped the British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition . The vessel, carrying 12 activists including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan, was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s naval blockade. The interception has sparked widespread controversy, with activists accusing Israel of committing an “international crime” and a “blatant act of piracy.”
The Madleen carrying a symbolic amount of aid, including rice, baby formula, sanitary products, and medical supplies, aimed at highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The FFC, a pro-Palestinian organization campaigning against Israel’s blockade, reported that the vessel was boarded by Israeli commandos in international waters around 2 a.m. local time. Communication with the ship was lost shortly after, and the FFC stated that the crew had been “kidnapped” by Israeli forces.
The FFC and its supporters strongly dispute Israel’s actions, arguing that the interception in international waters constitutes an illegal act. The Madleen is a civilian, unarmed vessel carrying humanitarian aid and human rights defenders. Israel has no authority to detain the volunteers, and their detention is arbitrary and unlawful.
Social media is flooded with posts that reflect sentiments condemning Israel’s actions as “piracy”.
