The Embassy of the State of Palestine has issued a powerful denunciation of what it describes as a “heinous act of maritime piracy” by Israeli occupation forces following the interception of the Madaleen solidarity ship in international waters.
The vessel, carrying essential humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, was reportedly hijacked, with all 12 international volunteers on board abducted by Israeli forces. Among those detained are prominent Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan.
In a strongly worded statement, Palestinian Ambassador Tamer Almassri termed the seizure as an “act of state-sponsored terrorism,” accusing Israel of flagrantly violating international maritime law. “This brazen aggression by the Israeli genocidal state constitutes not only a crime of piracy but a direct assault on humanitarian values,” Ambassador Almassri declared.
The Ambassador expressed grave concern over the welfare of the detained activists, noting that all independent communication with them has been severed since the ship’s interception. The vessel had been part of a peaceful civil society initiative aimed at breaking the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza and delivering desperately needed food and medical supplies.
“The courage of these international volunteers must be commended,” said Dr Almassri. “They dared to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, risking their lives to bring hope to those enduring one of the most brutal sieges in modern history.”
The Embassy emphasized that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. Since the launch of Israel’s military assault in October 2023, over 54,880 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed, and at least 126,227 injured. Dozens remain trapped under rubble, with emergency services unable to reach them. Aid distribution sites have reportedly become sites of mass killings, with over 115 people killed and 1,110 wounded while attempting to access food and medical relief.
The State of Palestine has urged the international community to respond with urgency and resolve. “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the Madaleen’s passengers, an end to the illegal blockade, and accountability for Israel’s war crimes,” said Dr Almassri. “Silence in the face of such atrocities is complicity.”
The ambassador extended a plea for global action: “The world must not turn a blind eye. The time for statements has passed, now is the time for justice.”