14 hours ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Calls Intensify for International Protection of 'Madleen' Humanitarian Ship
DaysofPal — International legal experts and humanitarian organizations are urgently calling for the protection of the Madleen ship and its crew of solidarity activists as it nears Gaza, amid growing fears of an Israeli military interception. The vessel, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, carries a symbolic humanitarian cargo and a powerful message: 'life, not weapons of death.'
Reports from Hebrew media indicate that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has ordered the military to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza's shores. The Madleen, which recently passed Egypt's coast, now enters what organizers call 'the most critical hours' of the mission.
Speaking to Palestine Newspaper, Dr. Fouad Baker, legal advisor at the International Criminal Court, warned that any military action against the vessel would constitute a flagrant violation of international law. 'The Madleen is a peaceful, civilian ship. Targeting it is not just an attack on humanitarian relief—it's a political crime designed to spread fear and deter global solidarity.'
Legal Grounds for Protection
Dr. Baker emphasized that the Geneva Conventions, particularly the Fourth Convention, explicitly protect civilians and humanitarian missions during armed conflict. Any obstruction of aid or targeting of the Madleen could qualify as a war crime under:
Article 8 of the Rome Statute (war crimes),
Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (prohibition of collective punishment).
He condemned the absence of international protective measures and blamed global inaction on either complicity or the paralysis of institutions like the UN. 'Protection for these activists is not a favor—it is a legal and moral obligation. Their safety is a test of the international community's conscience,' he said.
Baker also called for the immediate formation of a legal committee to monitor the ship's journey and document any violations in real time.
A Mission of Peace Under Threat
The Madleen, which departed Italy on June 1, carries 12 international activists, including:
Greta Thunberg (Swedish climate activist),
Liam Cunningham (Irish actor),
Rima Hassan (French MEP).
The group is delivering symbolic aid to Gaza, aiming to break the blockade that has suffocated the enclave for more than 17 years.
Amnesty International has voiced strong support for the flotilla, calling it 'an essential act of solidarity.' The organization warned against interference, stating:
'There is no justification for obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza amid catastrophic hunger and mass displacement. The Freedom Flotilla must be allowed to complete its peaceful mission without intimidation or attack.'
This appeal follows the recent attack on the Global Conscience ship, which was hit by drones near Maltese waters in May, causing engine damage. These incidents highlight an alarming trend of militarized responses to humanitarian efforts.
A Genocide Underway
Since October 7, 2023, Israel—with full U.S. support—has launched a brutal war on Gaza, which many legal experts and UN officials now describe as genocide. Over 192,000 Palestinians have been killed, wounded, or declared missing. Civilian infrastructure has collapsed, and mass starvation is sweeping the Strip.
With the Madleen nearing Gaza, the world watches. Will it act to uphold international law—or allow another humanitarian mission to be silenced?
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