Archiv: Madleen (Freedom Flotilla vessel)


08.10.2025 - 00:00 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition ]

FFC and Thousand Madleens Launch Next Wave of Boats to Gaza

(September 27, 2025)

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) will launch a flotilla of 10 boats on Saturday, 27 September 2025 from San Giovanni Li Cuti harbour, Catania, Sicily, Italy.

(…)

This wave of boats follows the Madleen, Handala, and the dozens of boats that the FFC has sailed over the past 15 years, as well as the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla — all of which the Israeli military has repeatedly attacked. Together, these civilian missions signal that the demand to end Israel’s blockade cannot be silenced or deterred.

“Every boat we launch is a direct challenge to the blockade and a declaration of solidarity. We sail not as charity, but as part of the global struggle to end apartheid and affirm the right of the Palestinian people to live free.” Joint statement from FFC and TMTG.

01.10.2025 - 15:54 [ Al Jazeera ]

Looking back: The Madleen

As the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) nears the Gaza coastline, Al Jazeera takes a look at some of the past flotillas.
The Madleen

The Madleen was launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) on June 9, 2025.

Among the activists on board were Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, Brazil’s Thiago Avila and French MEP Rima Hassan.

All three are also on board this current GSF.
The Madleen was intercepted by the Israeli military about 185km (100 nautical miles) from Gaza, in international waters.

After the interception, activists on the boat were detained by Israel. Some were instantly deported, while others were held in detention before their deportation.

12.07.2025 - 22:23 [ FreedomFlotilla.org ]

THE FREEDOM FLOTILLA IS SETTING SAIL AGAIN

Siracusa, Italy — On July 13, 2025 the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) will launch Handala—a civilian boat setting out to challenge Israel’s illegal, deadly blockade of Gaza. The vessel will carry life-saving humanitarian aid and a message of solidarity from people around the world refusing to stay silent as Gaza is starved, bombed, and buried under rubble.

This mission comes just weeks after Israel’s illegal attack on the Madleen, another Freedom Flotilla boat illegally seized by Israel in international waters. Twelve unarmed civilians—including a Member of the European Parliament, a doctor, journalists and human rights defenders—were abducted by Israeli commandos and taken against their will to Israel, where they were interrogated, abused, then deported. Their “crime”? Attempting to bring food, medicine, and solidarity to Palestinians under siege.

We are not backing down.

12.06.2025 - 22:40 [ @OFGTV / Youtube ]

Tek kelimeyle, muhteşemsin Yasemin! „Yasemin Acar serbest!Mesele Filistin

(…)

12.06.2025 - 22:06 [ Boucha TV / Youtube ]

Rima Hassan à la place de la République

Started streaming 42 minutes ago

12.06.2025 - 19:03 [ Palestine Chronicle ]

Israel Deports Six Madleen Activists, Including EU MP Rima Hassan

Rima Hassan, the EU MP, was deported on Thursday, along with Mark van Rennes from the Netherlands, Suayb Ordu from Turkey, Yasemin Acar from Germany, Thiago Avila from Brazil, and Reva Viard from France.

Human rights group Adalah said two others, Pascal Maurieras and Yanis Mhamdi, both French nationals, are still being held at the Givon prison and were expected to be deported on Friday.

Four others, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, were deported on Tuesday.

12.06.2025 - 02:05 [ FRANCE 24 English / Youtube ]

Greta Thunberg speaks to France 24 after her deportation from Israel • FRANCE 24 English

(June 10, 2025)

Activist Greta Thunberg arrived in Paris after being deported from Israel on Tuesday and called for more actions to support aid efforts for Gaza. Speaking upon arrival at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, Thunberg called for the release of the other activists who were detained aboard the Freedom Flotilla.

12.06.2025 - 01:16 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition ]

Freedom Flotilla Volunteers on the ‘Madleen’ face Solitary Confinement – Update from Adalah Legal team

Occupied Palestine – The Freedom Flotilla Coalition strongly condemns the Israeli government’s use of solitary confinement against two of its detained volunteers: Rima Hassan, a Palestinian Member of the European Parliament, and Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian human rights defender and member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition Steering Committee. Both were aboard the Madleen, a civilian aid ship carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza when it was unlawfully seized by Israeli forces in international waters.

Rima Hassan was reportedly placed in solitary confinement after writing “Free Palestine” on the wall of her cell. While she has since been removed from solitary and returned to Givon prison, her detention and the punitive measures taken against her remain a direct attack on a democratically elected official who has consistently advocated for justice, liberation, and an end to the illegal blockade of Gaza. Silencing a parliamentarian in this manner underscores the brutality and impunity of the Zionist regime.

Thiago Ávila has also been forcibly isolated — confined in a small, dark, airless, and contactless cell, where Israeli authorities have threatened to detain him for seven days. Ávila is on his third day of a hunger and water strike to denounce Israel’s crimes and the complicity of governments that have remained shamefully silent.

09.06.2025 - 17:30 [ Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel ]

Israeli Forces Detain Freedom Flotilla Activists; Adalah Demands Their Immediate Release and Disclosure of Their Whereabouts After Unlawful Interception of the Madleen

A total of 12 people were on board the Madleen, including 11 activists and one journalist. Among them are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, Yasemin Acar from Germany, Baptiste Andre, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi and Reva Viard from France, Thiago Avila from Brazil, Suayb Ordu from Turkey, Sergio Toribio from Spain, Marco van Rennes from the Netherlands and Omar Faiad, a journalist with Al Jazeera Mubasher, also from France.

Adalah demands the immediate disclosure of the activists’ location and legal status, and their access to legal counsel to enable legal representation before Israeli authorities and tribunals. Adalah will pursue legal actions to secure the activists’ safety and release.

09.06.2025 - 17:27 [ Middle East Eye ]

Freedom Flotilla Coalition says whereabouts of Madleen crew remain ‚unknown‘

„According to the Israeli Immigration Authority, they are not in its custody,“ press officer Hay Sha Wiya said, adding that rights group Adalah has repeatedly contacted Israeli military officials but has yet to receive any response to its inquiries or letters since the early hours of the morning.

09.06.2025 - 17:06 [ Jacobin.de ]

Rima Hassan: »Die Mission ist zutiefst politisch«

Israel hat heute früh 12 Personen auf dem Schiff »Madleen« festgenommen, die versuchten, die Belagerung des Gazastreifens zu durchbrechen. Wir sprachen mit einer von ihnen, La France Insoumise-Abgeordnete Rima Hassan, nur Stunden vor ihrer Verhaftung.

09.06.2025 - 15:20 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition / Youtube ]

Mark‘s Sister Appeals to the World to Share His Story and Demand His Release

Katja Van Rennes is the sister of Marco Van Rennes – a volunteer on the ‚Madleen‘. Marco, along with 11 others, was abducted by Israel whilst in international waters at around 0300 EEST 9 Jun 2025. All 12 of the ‚Madleen‘ crew continue to be held by the Israeli military. Pressure the Dutch Foreign ministry and all other foreign ministries of the volunteers who were taken against their will from the ‚Madleen‘ as she was sailing to break the seige of Gaza.

Tag and email the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs NOW:

W: https://www.government.nl/contact/public-information-service/email
X: DutchMFA
IG: (at)minbz
FB: ministeriebz

09.06.2025 - 15:07 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition / Youtube ]

Volunteers Aboard the Freedom Flotilla’s ‘Madleen’ Issue SOS Call

SOS! The volunteers on ‚Madleen‘ have been taken illegally against their will by Israeli forces. Pressure their foreign ministries and help us keep them safe!

FR:
E: alertes.cdc(at)diplomatie.gouv.fr & courrier.scec(at)diplomatie.gouv.fr
X : (at)FranceDiplo_EN & (at)francediplo & (at)jnbarot

FB : (at)France Diplomatie & (at)Jean-Noël Barot
IG : (at)francediplo & (at)jeannoelbarot

SP:
E: consular(at)maec.es
X (at)SpainMFA & (at)MAECgob
IG : (at)exteriores.maec

GE:
W: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/vi…
IG : (at)auswaertigesamt

FB : (at)Auswärtiges Amt

X : GermanyDiplo

BR:
Email : portal(at)itamaraty.gov.br
X : ItamaratyGovBr
IG : (at)itamaratygovbr
FB : (at)Ministerio das relacoes exteriroes

SW:
Web: https://www.government.se/contacts/
X : (at)SweMFA
FB : (at)SweMFA
IG : swedishmfa

TUR
X : (at)MFATurkiye

IG : (at)tcdisisleri

FB : (at)T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı

NED
X : (at)DutchMFA
IG : (at)minbz

FB : (at)ministeriebz

09.06.2025 - 14:40 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition / Youtube ]

Yasemin’s Brother of the ‘Madleen’ Responds To Her Abduction by Israel

J. Acar is the brother of Yasemin Acar – a volunteer on the ‚Madleen‘. Yasemin, along with 11 others, was abducted by Israel whilst in international waters at around 0300 EEST 9 Jun 2025. All 12 of the ‚Madleen‘ crew continue to be held by the Israeli military. Pressure the German Foreign ministry and all other foreign ministries of the volunteers who were taken against their will from the ‚Madleen‘ as she was sailing to break the seige of Gaza.

09.06.2025 - 14:33 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition / Youtube ]

Yasemin Acar: German Citizen SOS Call from ‘Madleen‘

SOS! The volunteers on ‚Madleen‘ have been taken illegally against their will by Israeli forces. Pressure their foreign ministries and help us keep them safe!

W: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/contact-form

IG : (at)auswaertigesamt

FB : (at)Auswärtiges Amt

X : GermanyDiplo

09.06.2025 - 14:16 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition ]

Israeli Military Attacks Madleen in International Waters — Weeks After Bombing of Conscience

Catania, Sicily, Italy- The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) confirms that its civilian ship, Madleen, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, has been attacked/forcibly intercepted by the Israeli military at 3:02 am CET in international waters at 31.95236° N, 32.38880° E. The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.

08.06.2025 - 17:02 [ France24.com ]

Israel orders military to block aid flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg from reaching Gaza

„I have instructed the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza,“ Israel Katz said in a statement from his office.

„To Greta the antisemite and her companions, Hamas propaganda mouthpieces, I say clearly: turn back because you will not reach Gaza,“ Katz said.

08.06.2025 - 17:00 [ Havanna Times ]

Israel Orders Military to Block Aid Flotilla to Gaza

Israel’s defense minister on Sunday ordered the military to stop an aid boat belonging to the international nonprofit organization Freedom Flotilla Coalition and carrying climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and fellow activists from reaching the Gaza Strip.

08.06.2025 - 16:55 [ Al Jazeera ]

WATCH: Ship carrying aid nears coast, aims to break Israel’s blockade

(14:00 GMT)

A Freedom Flotilla Coalition aid ship, with activists on board, is expected to reach the Gaza coast by tomorrow.

It aims to deliver aid to the Strip, under Israeli blockade, which activists say is illegal under international law.

04.06.2025 - 19:53 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition ]

Madleen Tracker

Don’t lose the Madleen [Barcarole]. Track her journey for safety, accountability, and solidarity

04.06.2025 - 19:48 [ Democracy Now! ]

Greta Thunberg Speaks from Aid Ship Heading to Gaza Despite Israeli Threats: It’s My Moral Obligation

Greta, it’s really something to see you on that ship right now. Can you tell us why you’re taking this journey, extremely dangerous, and how you’re planning to challenge the Israeli blockade?

GRETA THUNBERG: Yeah. Thank you so much for having me.

Yeah, as you said, we are doing this mission following one month after our last attempt. Boat Conscience was bombed and disabled. So, that’s why we are trying again, because we cannot afford to give up. There is simply too much at stake. And in times of injustice, as we are seeing now the genocide and blockade happening, we have to do everything we can to demand an end to these atrocities and war crimes committed by Israel.

And for me personally, I happen to have a platform for some reason, and then it is my moral obligation to use that platform. And if my presence on this boat can make a difference, if that can show in any way that the world has not forgotten about Palestine, and to try once again to attempt to break the siege and open up a humanitarian corridor and deliver the extremely needed humanitarian aid, then that is a risk I am willing to take.

And it’s something that we just simply have to do. We cannot just sit, sit around and do nothing and watch this like live-streamed genocide unfold in front of our very eyes. So we are doing this because we are human beings who care about justice. And when our complicit governments fail to step up, it falls on us, unfortunately, to do so.

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: And, Greta, could you talk about how you see the issue of Palestinian freedom connecting to or intersecting with the issue that you’re best known for, which is climate change activism?

GRETA THUNBERG: Yeah. For me, there is no way of distinguishing the two. We cannot have climate justice without social justice. The reason why I am a climate activist is not because I want to protect trees. I’m a climate activist because I care about human and planetary well-being, and those are extremely interlinked. For example, when we see the genocide in Gaza, of course, there are some very obvious links, that ecocide, environmental destruction is a very common method used in war and to oppress people.

04.06.2025 - 19:45 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition ]

A Month After Conscience Attack: Freedom Flotilla Ship Madleen Sets Sail for Gaza

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 1, 2025

Contact: Hay Sha Wiya

media(at)freedomflotilla.org

WhatsApp: +1 210-834-8155

Media Available for Use with Credit:

https://drive.proton.me/urls/CDYKESS7SC#ab0CGGgdRpYg

Madleen Tracker :

https://freedomflotilla.org/ffc-tracker/

WATCH – CELEBRITIES DEMAND SAFE PASSAGE FOR MADLEEN

Catania, Sicily, Italy | June 1, 2025 – Today at 16:00 GMT+2 the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) launched the Madleen, a civilian ship now sailing toward Gaza carrying humanitarian aid and international human rights defenders in direct defiance of Israel’s illegal and genocidal blockade.

Named after Gaza’s first and only fisherwoman in 2014, Madleen symbolizes the unyielding spirit of Palestinian resilience and the growing global resistance to Israel’s use of collective punishment and deliberate starvation policies. Her launch comes just one month after Israeli drones bombed Conscience, another Freedom Flotilla aid ship, in international waters off the coast of Malta—underscoring both the urgency and the danger of this mission to break the siege on Gaza.

19.05.2025 - 13:17 [ Freedom Flotilla Coalition ]

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.