European civil society calls for the protection of the freedom flotilla and an end to the Gaza blockade
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Country/Region
05 June 2025
A vessel attempting to carry medicine, food, and infant supplies to Gaza is currently sailing across the Mediterranean. A previous attempt at such a voyage was ended following an attack by armed drones. A letter so far signed by 220 organisations and 4,700 individuals calls on European and other governments to take action to ensure the protection of the vessel, and an end to the siege and bombing of Gaza: "The fate of millions of people in Gaza and the humanitarians trying to support them depends on our collective ability to respond with strength and determination."
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The vessels that set sail for Gaza in March, prior to being attacked by drones in the Mediterranean. Image: Felton Davis, CC BY 2.0
The statement was coordinated by Equinox Initiative for Racial Justice.
The Madleen, a vessel launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), is heading toward Gaza, Palestine, with humanitarian supplies aboard, aiming to challenge Israel’s unlawful blockade of the territory. The mission was initiated in response to the complete shutdown of aid access since 2nd March 2025, which has led to death by starvation of dozens of children. Humanitarian organisations including the World Health Organisation report that over 90 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are now suffering from severe food insecurity.
On board are 12 humanitarians and activists – including MEP Rima Hassan and climate activist Greta Thunberg – carrying essential aid: medicine, food, and infant supplies, destined for a Palestinian population subjected to an illegal blockade and enduring an ongoing genocide.
On 2nd June 2025, ten UN experts, including nine Special Rapporteurs, demanded that this vessel be granted safe passage, reminding the international community that:
- Gaza has the right to receive humanitarian aid by sea, even under occupation;
- The Flotilla is navigating entirely legally in international waters, in accordance with maritime and international humanitarian law;
- UN member states have both a legal and moral obligation to end the famine and the crimes being committed in Gaza.
Yet, since that date, the Flotilla has been surveilled by Israeli ‘Heron’ military drones “battle-tested” in Gaza and employed by EU national border and coast guards, raising fears of an imminent attack. A vessel from the same coalition was already targeted and destroyed by a drone on 2nd May near Malta.
Such an attack would constitute a grave violation of international law and place the crew’s lives in mortal danger: the estimated survival time at sea is under 8 hours. It would also deny people in Gaza access to life-saving medicine, food, and aid.
The closer the ship gets to Gaza, the higher the risk of an attack or the illegal detention of crew members by Israeli authorities.
This situation is a direct consequence of the Israeli smear campaign against UNRWA's capacity to deliver aid to the Palestinian people, and the US-led takeover of distribution centers by 3rd party private contractors.
In the face of this imminent threat to the Freedom Flotilla, we, the undersigned, call:
- On the institutions and governments (in particular of States whose nationals make up the crew, including France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Brazil, Turkey, the Netherlands) to take immediate action to ensure:
- Safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla;
- Unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza;
- Compliance with international law by the State of Israel
- Immediate sanctions and suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, immediate EU-wide arms embargo, EU compliance with ICJ arrest warrants, an end to the genocide, occupation and colonisation of Palestine.
- On global heads of state and political leaders across the spectrum to publicly take a stand in support of the humanitarian mission and the rule of law.
- On civil society to exert pressure and demand immediate protection for the vessel and its crew, and the lifting of the humanitarian blockade on Gaza.
The fate of millions of people in Gaza and the humanitarians trying to support them depends on our collective ability to respond with strength and determination.
Gaza has the right to unfettered humanitarian aid and distribution through UN organisations
The Palestinian people's right to life, dignity, and humanitarian aid in Gaza must not be denied by force.
Support the Freedom Flotilla. Demand its protection.
Organisations can sign via this link
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