As the boat ‘Madleen’ approaches the Gaza Strip with 12 human rights activists and several tons of humanitarian aid, the Israeli navy has blocked the communication channels of the boat to the outside world and has surrounded the boat. The crew members held this press conference about 8 pm Sunday:
The organizers pointed out in the press conference that the Israeli military has stated publicly that they are willing to use force against the unarmed humanitarian aid ship.
Yasemin Acar, a crew member from Germany, stated on the live feed, “If Israel was to attack us, that would be yet another war crime, added to their long list of war crimes. From what we have been hearing today from Defense Minister Katzi, they are ordering us to turn back or they will intercept us. Again, we are a humanitarian mission. They are the ones carrying the weapons, we are only carrying humanitarian aid. Please, you have to pressure all our governments – they are required to ensure that we are provided safe passage, and are able to return home safely.”
“I don’t believe we are doing anything heroic. I believe we are doing our duty, as humans.”
Crew member Thiago Avila from Brazil stated, “We are around 140 nautical miles from Gaza – we are worried that Israel will attack us in the middle of the night. We should have had the support of every government. There are two US naval aircraft carriers located near here, we have Italian ships nearby – they should be supporting and protecting us. They signed the Geneva Convention, they signed the Rome Statute, they signed the UN Charter, they signed the Global Convention Against Genocide and the convention Against Apartheid. So it shouldn’t be optional for them. They should enforce these treaties.”
About two hours after the live press conference feed ended, Thiago livestreamed with loud sirens blaring in the background from an Israeli military ship. He stated, “We are under attack by the IOF [Israeli Occupation Forces] right now. They have surrounded the ship. This is an interception. A war crime is happening right now. Please, sound the alarm.”
There are 11 activists and a journalist on board the Madleen:
Greta Thunberg – Swedish climate activist
Rima Hassan – French-Palestinian Member of European Parliament
Yasemin Acar – Germany
Baptiste Andre – France
Thiago Avila – Brazil
Omar Faiad – France; Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent
Pascal Maurieras – France
Yanis Mhamdi – France
Suayb Ordu – Turkiye
Sergio Toribio – Spain
Marco van Rennes – The Netherlands
Reva Viard – France
According to the Freedom Flotilla Foundation, as Israel threatens to attack the ‘Madleen’ as it sails towards Gaza, John Dugard, Professor Emeritus of international law and former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, explains the illegality of an Israeli military intervention.
.@DrGaborMate sends a message of solidarity to the Madleen Freedom Flotilla: pic.twitter.com/U1wrdPHIkY
— Aaron Maté (@aaronjmate) June 8, 2025
Volunteers onboard the ‘Madleen’ are urging people to pressure their governments to ensure their safe passage as they attempt to open a sea corridor to Gaza, especially as the situation on the ground there deteriorates.
The ‘Madleen’ and the civilians on board are protected by international law and any attempts to block them will constitute an unlawful act of aggression against a civilian vessel.
