GAZA: Israel's illegal interception of Madleen aid ship must spark international action
Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has condemned the capture of a British registered ship the ‘Madleen’ that was carrying 12 humanitarian aid volunteers, including Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan MEP, by Israeli forces in international waters.
At 02:50am (EEST) Israeli forces began an ‘assault’ in international waters on the Madleen according to the organisation behind the aid effort, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. It was reported that the ship was boarded and its volunteers taken by Israeli authorities.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea prohibits the interception of vessels in international waters without lawful cause. It was also reported that just hours before the Israeli forces boarded the ship carrying crucial humanitarian aid that a UK spy plane was sent over the Palestinian territory.
Responding to the news of the Madleen’s capture, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“This is another horrifying violation of international law by the Israeli authorities. There can be no justification for capturing an unarmed humanitarian aid ship in international waters, and we can’t let them get away with this yet again.
“We must see the immediate and unconditional release of all Madleen crew members. And we desperately need immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“Palestinians urgently need food, water, and medical supplies but it has been denied time and again by Israel. The objective of this flotilla was to put all eyes on Gaza and end the illegal Israeli aid blockade, that must now happen. The world needs to act.
“Yet, the UK Government remains complicit in the Israeli regime’s horrific war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, from arms sales to reconnaissance missions. The UK Government has blood on its hands.
“Now with a British vessel being boarded and captured by Israeli military forces this Labour government’s silence says it all.
“All governments must stand up to Israel, stop all funding and support for Netenyahu’s genocidal regime, and ensure urgent humanitarian aid is delivered to the people of Gaza.”