The bombing of a civilian vessel in European territory, without international condemnation or serious inquiry, underscores a broader pattern: Israel’s escalating violence against civilians is met with silence and complicity from the international community. The attack on the Conscience is not an isolated incident, but part of a decades-long pattern of impunity—now extending far beyond Gaza’s borders. As we prepare to launch our next action with the yacht Madleen, we do so with the sobering knowledge that, in a world unwilling to restrain Israeli aggression, our civilian vessels remain vulnerable. Yet we also move forward with renewed determination—because Palestinians in Gaza still call, and the world must respond.
Archiv: 02-05-2025 Israeli government executes airstrike against civilian aid boat near Malta / everyone but the fascists and the Upfront Left sucks as usual
Freedom Flotilla Refuses Silence After Attack: ‘Madleen’ Will Sail for Gaza
MALTA | May 15, 2025 – In the face of state terrorism, media silence, and mounting global complicity, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) today announces that its mission to break the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza will move forward, undeterred. We are preparing our next vessel, Madleen, named in 2014 after Gaza’s only fisherwoman at the time; a symbol of resistance and resilience, to sail in May to Gaza, carrying our solidarity with Palestinians and our cargo of hope.
Condemnations and call for investigation from experts following the attack on the Freedom Flotilla
We call on every State, every union of States, every people and every principled institution globally to rise and condemn this act and to support the rebuilding and sailing of the Flotilla at the earliest time possible. We demand that Europe, the African Union, ASEAN, Latin American States, and the Arab world assert their sovereignty- and humanity– by refusing to be intimidated into silence and complicity with lawlessness. We demand a full international investigation under the auspices of the United Nations. We demand that Malta and all coastal States take immediate protective measures. And, we call on all States to invoke universal jurisdiction, to enact arms embargoes, suspend treaties, and stop their diplomatic cover and complicity with this barbaric and rogue regime. Otherwise the bloodshed will not stop in Gaza; and it will not stop with the Flotilla. Either Israel is stopped- or the whole world will bleed at the altar of Israeli genocidal fascism.”
– Lamis Deek, Attorney, PAL Law Commission
Drohnenangriff vor Malta? Schiff mit Hilfsgütern für Gaza brennt – und droht zu sinken
Das Schiff «Conscience» war nach Angaben des Unternehmens auf dem Weg nach Malta, um eine grosse Gruppe von Aktivisten an Bord zu holen und von dort aus nach Gaza zu reisen. Zu den geplanten Passagieren gehörte unter anderem Greta Thunberg – gemäss der Sprecherin befand sie sich zur Zeitpunkt des Brandes aber noch nicht an Bord.
Aid ship bound for Gaza catches fire after alleged drone attack off Malta
Updated 6:13 AM EDT, Fri May 2, 2025
A Gaza-bound activist aid ship caught fire and issued an SOS, after what it claimed was a drone attack off the coast of Malta in international waters in the early hours of Friday.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which is campaigning to end Israel’s blockade of Gaza, told CNN activists were aboard its ship carrying humanitarian aid when the alleged attack happened just after midnight local time (6 p.m. ET Thursday).
“There is a hole in the vessel right now and the ship is sinking,” Yasemin Acar, the coalition’s press officer, told CNN by phone from Malta on Friday morning.
Aid vessel bound for Gaza attacked near Malta, Cyprus-based ship received SOS
Initial reports said Cyprus received an SOS distress signal and sent a ship to help extinguish a fire which had resulted on board.
The defence ministry in Cyprus clarified that the ship was aided by a Limassol-based vessel, sailing under a Liberian flag, which happened to be in the area and responded to the SOS as per international maritime requirements.
UPDATED | Freedom Flotilla Coalition says ship attacked by drone just outside Maltese territorial waters
The Maltese government has disputed claims that it did not offer assistance to the Conscience, insisting that a tugboat with firefighting equipment was on site within minutes.
In a statement on Friday morning, the government released a timeline of events, including a photo of the tugboat spraying water onto the humanitarian ship.
The Conscience, which has remained anchored just outside territorial waters, is being monitored by the authorities.
The timeline provided by the government being reproduced below contradicts the claim that the humanitarian vessel received no assistance:
00:20am (local time): Malta Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) received a Mayday call from the passenger vessel Conscience, reporting a fire on the bow while outside territorial waters. The vessel had 12 crew members on board and 4 civilian passengers; no casualties were reported. The crew confirmed the fire was not under control and requested immediate assistance.
00:21am: A nearby tug located approximately one nautical mile away contacted Malta VTS, confirmed it was equipped with firefighting capabilities and offered immediate support. The tug arrived on scene and began firefighting operations.
1:28am: The fire was reported under control. An Armed Forces of Malta patrol vessel was also dispatched to provide further assistance.
2:13am: All crew were confirmed safe but refused to board the tug. Assistance was provided to support interior firefighting efforts.
3:45am: The vessel and its crew were secure.
Gaza aid vessel ‚attacked by drones‘ just outside Malta waters
Times of Malta is informed that the fire was put out in the early hours on Friday, and an Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat was dispatched to the location of the vessel.
Hours after the fire was put out, Flotilla and activists supporting the campaign were still urging the Maltese authorities to rescue the people aboard.
However, the Maltese government told the media that the people on board had refused to board a tug vessel that had put out the fire following contact with the Malta Vessel Traffic Services.
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Freedom Flotilla Attacked — Ship in Distress, Immediate Action Needed from Maltese Government
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Rome advised that a tugboat has been sent out and is on the scene. Our communications with the vessel were destroyed in the attack and we are unable to confirm this. Under international maritime law and conventions Malta is obliged to act and ensure the safety of a civilian ship in distress within its proximity. The lack of response and information about the rescue efforts breaches international customary law.
Israeli drones hit Gaza aid flotilla in international waters off Malta, NGO says
„At 00:23 Maltese time, the Conscience, a Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship came under direct attack in international waters,“ the group said in a statement.
„Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull,“ it added, blaming Israel.
„Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters.“