Madleen: Expection activists – heavy international reactions to its occupation in international waters

Explanation is the activists of the Madleen ship, the « fleet of freedom », which was occupied in international waters by Israeli army forces. The arrest of the 12 activists, who wanted to break the exclusion of the Gaza Strip from Israel, conveying humanitarian aid, has sparked international reactions and anger.

For the time being, it has not been clarified where Madleen’s crew is located, with the « fleet of freedom » calling for information and human rights organization in Israel moving legally to protect it.

Madleen arrived at the port of Asdond around 8.30 on Monday night:

Israel: ‘Selfie yacht’

A rather ironic announcement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry described the Madleen boat with 12 activists as « Selfie Yacht ». He said through X that the vessel « carrying Greta Tunckerk and other so -called » celebrities « continues his journey to Israeli port. » « With the arrival, there will be arrangements for their return to their respective countries of origin, » he added.

By arresting Madleen’s activists

However, the coalition of the Fleet Fleet has expressed doubts about information coming from Israel about where the arrested activists are. His spokesman said that « according to the Israeli Authority of immigration, they are not in its detention » and that repeated efforts are being made to communicate with Israeli military officials from the early hours.

Illegal arrest

An emergency letter to the Israeli authorities on the fate of Madleen’s crew was also sent by Adelah, the legal center for the rights of Arab minorities to Israel. It calls for « information on the fate of the 12 activists who were violently held after Madleen’s illegal seizure by the Israeli naval forces ». And he says he will move legally to ensure their security and release.

The ADelah team points out that the freedom fleet ship has never entered Israeli territorial waters and that he never had intended to do so. And he adds that Israel has no legal jurisdiction or power to seize the ship into international waters. « Madleen was directed to the territorial waters of the Palestinian state, » he says and notes:

Deportation procedures are expected to take place tomorrow

« Adelah requires the immediate disclosure of the location and legal status of activists, as well as their access to legal advice to enable legal representation before the Israeli authorities and courts. »

According to the organization, the Israeli reservation court has confirmed that activists are not currently under its detention and that authorities intend to deport individuals upon arrival in the country. However, because today it is not scheduled to hear, any procedures are expected to take place tomorrow.

Congratulations from Israel, rage from Europe

The occupation of the Madleen ship and the capture of his crew was accepted by the Israeli government with bittersweet and threats to activists. Right-wing Minister of Home Affairs, Ithamar Ben-Gvir, ordered to « prepare cells in the Givon prison » for activists. Defense Minister Israel Katz, congratulated the Israeli army on the « fast and safe occupation » of the ship and added that he had instructed the Israeli armed forces to « show the passengers of the lifelle the video with the atrocities of the massacre. »

Remembering that Madleen’s mission was the help of civilians, he said that they must « see exactly what the Hamas terrorist organization is coming to support and who they are working on, what horrifications have committed against women, the elderly and children, and against whom they fight ».

Condemnation in Europe

The occupation of Madleen was condemned by a group of MEPs, while French President Emmanuel Macron called for the immediate release of activists. Ireland Foreign Minister Simon Harris praised the activists for their journey, saying it was a « shame » for the world that Palestinian starring in Gaza.

« Madleen was an attempt to reach food and medicine to the hungry people of Gaza; an unarmed political effort in the midst of destruction and destructive humanitarian conditions, » he said. He also noted that Madleen’s journey is a « powerful symbol » of immediate action needed to end the long -term exclusion of any humanitarian aid from Israel.

The incident also condemned Amnesty International, which called for the liberation of activists.

By Forcible Intercepting and Blocking the Madleen, Israel has once Again Ignored Its Legal Obligations Towards Civilians in the Occupied Gaza Strip. The Crew Were Unarmed Activists and Human Rights Defenders on a Humanitarian Mission.

They must be released immediately and… pic.twitter.com/altw7m4Ghf

– Amnesty International (@amnesty) JUNE 9, 2025

In their letter to the European Commission, 39 MEPs called the EU. to take action to liberate activists and condemn the military attack by Israeli security forces « against a political ship and its unarmed crew »

Of the signatories, SYRIZA MEP Costas Arvanitis notes that Israeli energy is a « overt act of aggression that violates International Maritime and Humanitarian Law ».

And Spain

Yolanda Diaz, Spain’s Labor Minister, and one of the country’s three deputy prime ministers, denounced the seizure of the boat from Israel and called for a « clear and stable response » from the EU.

« I strongly condemn Madleen’s seizure, which carried humanitarian aid to Gaza, » he wrote to Bluesky. « This infringement of international law requires a clear and stable response from the EU. My solidarity to the volunteers held. We ask for their release as soon as possible. « 

‘Shame on those who make a blind eye’

In France, President Emmanuel Macron called for « to be allowed, as soon as possible, the return of the six French nationals aboard Madleen. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Baros assured that the French authorities were « in contact with the Israeli authorities in order to avoid any incident ».

Le Bateau est assailli. Force Et Courage à L’équipage de la Liberté et de l’Honneur face au génocide. Honte à Ceux Qui Regardent Ailleurs! Netanyahu répond des nôtres lui et ses complices!

-Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@jlmelenchon) June 8, 2025

The disobedient France, the Left Party, to which MEP Rima Hassan belongs, condemned Israeli energy. He expressed his « deep indignation » for the « illegal arrest » of « humanist and peaceful activists engaged in a strictly political and non -violent mission. » It also calls on mobilizations. The party leader, Jean-Luc Melanson, also noted that what happened to Madleen « is a shame for those who turn a blind eye! Netanyahu and his accomplices have to explain! « 

In her post, Rima Hassan asked the leaderships of France, Brazil, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Turkey to act so that he and the rest of the occupants of Madleen were released. « His occupation is illegal, » he notes.

urgent

L’équipage de la Freedom Flotilla est détenu illégalement par israël Depuis Plus de 14 Heures Suite à L’El Naviguait en direction de gaza pour y Apporter de l’Aide… pic.twitter.com/uy1jxiy4xn

– Rima Hassan (@rimahas) JUNE 9, 2025

The Swedish disagreement

Greta Tundberg, the young Swedish activist, in a video she uploaded to social media shortly before her arrest, sought help from her country.

« I’m from Sweden. If you see this video, we have been intercepted and abducted by Israeli occupation forces in international waters … I ask all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and others as soon as possible. « 

Greta Townmberg in Madleen, after being occupied by the Israeli army

However, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stegercard argued that the government had long advised not to travel to Gaza and activists were « clear personal responsibility ». He also said that the current government’s estimate is that activists are not in danger there is no need for consular support, he added.

Another Swedish activist, Andrew Arende Wegerif, accused Stockholm of being a « accomplice » to Israel’s actions. « What happened is outrageous, » he told Al Jazeera. « Israel has once again violated international law and occupied a political ship in international waters. »

He accused the Swedish government and other Western forces of being « collaborators » in Israel’s actions and called on Stockholm to mediate in favor of Greta Tumberg. « Our governments were terribly complicit and so weak in their reaction … and therefore people have to take action themselves, » he said.

It was later announced that the Swedish Foreign Ministry was in contact with the Israeli authorities to ensure that it is given a consular assistance to T -Tundberg.

UN: To release everyone immediately

Early in the morning, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanesi, urged boats sailing in the area to continue to question Israel’s maritime exclusion around Gaza.

WHILE #Madleen Must Be Released Immediately, Every Mediterranean Port Should Send Boats with Aid, Solidarity, and Humanity to Gaza. They Shall Sail Together – United, they will be unstoppable.#Breakingthesiege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us. pic.twitter.com/fead1fq4dk

– Francesca Albanese, un Special Rapporteur Opt (@franceskalbs) JUNE 9, 2025

« While Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with help, solidarity and humanity to Gaza. They will sail together – united, they will be unstoppable, « he wrote in X.

And as the ship has a British flag, it called on the UK government to « urgently demand complete clarifications » and « to ensure the immediate release of its boat and crew ».