Israeli forces attacked aid vessel bound by Madreen Gaza and accused the crew as the vessel approached the coastal waters of the besieged Palestinian territory early Monday, news outlets reported.
Climate activist Greta Samberg was among 12 international campaigners on Madreen. “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham and Lima Hassan, a French member of the Palestinian European Parliament, were also on board.
Turkey condemns seizures as violation of international law
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure of a vessel that was transporting humanitarian assistance to Gaza and which included Turkish citizens on board.
“The Israeli military’s intervention against Madrien, a ship that sailed to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including citizens on board, while in international waters, is a clear violation of international law.”
“This heinous act by Netanyahu (the Cabinet) that threatens voyage and maritime security freedoms again demonstrates Israel’s function as a terrorist state,” the ministry added.
Turkey and Israeli relations reached a low point after six ships from the Gaza Free Fleet were attacked by the regime in international waters of the Mediterranean on May 31, 2010.
During the struggle, nine activists, including eight Turkish citizens and one Turkish American, were killed and many were injured.
France is seeking immediate return of six citizens
French Foreign Minister Jeannoel Barro highlighted France’s priorities to “promoting the rapid return” of six citizens detained by Madreen.
In an official media statement, he said, “I called for the consul protection against them by immediate access, aiming to confirm their situation as soon as the ship boards and promote a rapid return to France.”
According to Al Jazeera, Spain’s Foreign Ministry has called in Israel’s Chargé d’Affaires to formally protest the move.
This follows Madrid’s April decision to cancel the controversial $7.5 million ammunition purchase from Israel amid rising criticism of Israeli military action in Gaza. ”
The United Nations urges the immediate release of ship crews
“Madline must be released soon,” United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese said in a post on X.
“Breaking a siege is a legal obligation for the state and a moral obligation for all of us,” added Albanese.
“All Mediterranean ports should send boats with aid, solidarity and humanity to Gaza. They sail together.
“Solidarity is not a crime.”
Left-wing political groups in the European Parliament have condemned the seizure as “a blatant violation of international law.”
The group of 46 urged “The European Union, the United Nations and the international community as a whole have strongly condemned this illegal detention, demanding immediate and unconditional release of all crews, and urged Israeli authorities to allow immediate and unhindered invasion of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
“Solidarity is not a crime, genocide,” he added. “Free the crew of Freedom Flotilla.”
“Everyone on board has been accused of, and they were taken against their will while sailing peacefully and legally in international waters.”
“They are in international waters, sailing towards the seas of Palestinian territory and not approaching Israeli waters,” she added.
“It needs to be very clear that Israel has no jurisdiction or legal authority to take over this ship.”
The Swedish government provides ambiguous support to adducted activists
After Samberg appealed for urgent international support and urged friends to pressure the Swedish government to release its crew, Stockholm offered vague support to activists on board.
Swedish foreign departments said Tanberg and other Swedish citizens on board the ship would be provided with assistance if necessary.
Earlier on Monday, the Palestinian resistance campaign Hamas strongly condemned the Israeli regime’s seizure of a Madrien ship as an act of “piracy.”
Madleen, run by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail from Sicily last week carrying emergency humanitarian supplies from Gaza.
This shows the FFC’s second attempt to provide important assistance to Gaza since May, after Israeli drones attacked their previous ship, conscience, in international waters near Malta.
United Nations agencies and major aid groups have warned that Gaza is at risk of hunger if more aid is not brought in.
They say that in the midst of Israeli genocide, Israeli restrictions, the collapse of law and order, and widespread looting have made it extremely difficult to provide assistance to around 2 million Palestinians in Gaza.
MNA