UN Experts Urge Safe Passage for Gaza-Bound Freedom Flotilla Ship “Madeleine”
The humanitarian vessel carrying activists and aid, including Greta Thunberg, faces threats amid Israeli naval blockade.
Watan-UN experts on Monday urged the provision of safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship “Madeleine”, which set sail Sunday from the coast of Sicily, Italy, carrying activists from around the world as well as essential medical supplies, food, and children’s aid for Gaza.
In a statement on the United Nations website, the experts said:”The people of Gaza are in desperate need of help to prevent genocide. This initiative is a symbolic and powerful effort to provide that help. Israel must remember that the world is watching closely and must refrain from any hostile action against the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and its passengers.
The statement added:”The people of Gaza have the right to receive aid via their territorial waters, even under occupation. The coalition’s ship also has the right to navigate freely in international waters to reach Gaza. Israel must not interfere with the long-recognized freedom of navigation under international law.”
UN Warns Israel Against Obstructing Flotilla, Cites International Law and High-Profile Passengers
The experts expressed deep concern for the safety of the flotilla’s participants, citing repeated Israeli attacks on human rights defenders, UN humanitarian missions, and civilian delegations.
The vessel carries 12 internationally known figures, including:
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Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg
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French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan
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Dutch filmmaker and artist Liam Cunningham
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Retired U.S. Army Colonel Ann Wright
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Jewish activist Zohar Chamberlain Regev, among others.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition previously launched a similar ship, “The Conscience”, in early May, which was struck by an Israeli drone off the coast of Malta.
Several global public figures have joined the coalition’s online campaign to send warning letters to Israel, urging it not to target the ship or its volunteers.
Israel Readies for Flotilla as Global Pressure Mounts over Threats to Gaza-Bound Ship “Madeleine”
The coalition held Israel accountable for any harm that may befall the crew or the vessel, emphasizing that “Madeleine poses no threat and is fully compliant with international law. Any attack or interference would constitute a deliberate and unlawful assault on civilians.”
Zaher Birawi, head of the International Committee to Break the Siege and a founding member of the coalition, called on all countries with nationals aboard the ship to fulfill their duty to ensure the safety and protection of the participants.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham mocked the mission by posting a photo of the ship with Greta Thunberg and commenting on X:“Hope Greta and her friends are good swimmers.”
Speaking to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Birawi said:”Direct and indirect incitement by U.S. extremists like Lindsey Graham will make them complicit in the crime if the ship faces any threat or attack from Israel.”
On Monday, the Israeli army confirmed it is preparing for multiple scenarios involving the “Madeleine,” while maintaining its naval blockade of Gaza’s coastline.
