(NewsNation) — Israeli forces said on Monday they seized a Gaza-bound aid boat and several people who were on board.
The voyage on the Madleen had set out to protest Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip by a group of activists. The seizure of the ship was the result of a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory that has been tightened during the war.
This latest development opens up a whole new discussion to be had. What is the Madleen, and who are the key organizations? What were the consequences of the interception for the activists onboard? What are the potential outcomes of the IDF’s actions against the flotilla?
What is the Madleen and which organizations are involved?
The Madleen is a boat used by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which set out on a week-long voyage from Sicily, Italy, to protest Israel’s ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a movement composed of campaigns and initiatives from different parts of the world, all working together to end the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza. Several of its founding groups include the Free Gaza Movement, European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza, and İHH İnsani Yardım Vakfı.
Greta Thunberg was one of the 12 activists on board the Madleen who were detained. Thunberg is a Swedish climate campaigner.
Along with her was Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, and Brazil’s Thiago Ávila. Hassan had been previously barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.
The boat had also stopped last week to rescue four migrants who had jumped overboard to avoid being detained by the Libyan coast guard.
Activists aboard Madleen detained, to be returned home
All 12 activists who were aboard the Madleen were detained by Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
Reports from Israeli media indicated that the Madleen and its crew members were being taken to the port city of Ashdod.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said all the activists would be returned to their home countries without harm.
On Sunday, the IFM made assurances that it would halt the “Madleen from reaching the Gaza Strip. They also acknowledged that the humanitarian aid on the boat would be sent to Gaza through established channels.
What is the potential aftermath of the IDF stopping the Madleen?
With the Freedom Flotilla unable to reach Gaza, the possible outcome of those people in need in the area getting the aid they need only shows more difficulty ahead.
Spain and Turkey officials condemned Israel for the seizure of the vessel, saying, “This heinous act by the Netanyahu government, which threatens the freedom of navigation and maritime security, once again demonstrates that Israel is acting as a terror state.”
The Freedom Flotilla last month attempted to reach Gaza by sea but failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, including the damage caused to the front section of the ship.
Israel previously had started allowing basic aid into Gaza last month after a nearly three-month blockade, They were warned by humanitarian workers and experts of famine if the blockade and its military offensive continued.
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Author: Rob Taub
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