The mission is an indictment of the international community’s failure to put an end to Israel’s inhumane blockade

As the occupying power, Israel has an international obligation to ensure safe access to food, medicine, and essential supplies for Gaza’s civilians

‘Activists would not have had to risk their lives if Israel’s allies had turned their words into forceful action to allow aid into Gaza’ - Agnès Callamard

Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, responded to the news that Israel has intercepted and detained the 12-person crew aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s Madleen boat - including activist Greta Thunberg, an Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience - who were attempting to break Israel’s illegal blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip to deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid, stating:

“Israel has once again flouted its legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip and demonstrated its chilling contempt for legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice.

“The operation of intercepting and blocking the Madleen in the middle of the night and in international waters violates international law and put the safety of those on the boat at risk. The crew were unarmed activists and human rights defenders on a humanitarian mission, they must be released immediately and unconditionally. They must also be protected from torture and other ill-treatment pending their release.

“As the occupying power Israel has an international obligation to ensure civilians in Gaza have sufficient and safe access to food, medicine, and other supplies indispensable to their survival. Instead, it has consistently and deliberately impeded the provision of impartial humanitarian assistance for civilians in desperate need. Its military attacks have also damaged or destroyed vital infrastructure, including sources of food production like agricultural lands, compounding the impact of its starvation policy.

“During its voyage over the past few days the Madleen’s mission emerged as a powerful symbol of solidarity with besieged, starved and suffering Palestinians amid persistent international inaction. However, this mission is also an indictment of the international community’s failure to put an end to Israel’s inhumane blockade. Activists would not have had to risk their lives if Israel’s allies had turned their words into forceful action to allow aid into Gaza.

“Until we see real, concrete steps taken by governments worldwide - signalling an end to their blanket support for Israel - it will have carte blanche to continue inflicting relentless death and suffering on Palestinians.

“Now is the time to take a clear stand - not just with words, but with action.

“Governments must act now or risk their continued complicity in Israel’s grave violations of Palestinians’ rights. They must publicly denounce Israel’s interception and detention of the Madleen’s crew and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those on board. They must make clear that they will no longer tolerate Israel blocking humanitarian aid to a population facing starvation and genocide. They must press Israel to lift its suffocating blockade and allow aid to be delivered through all crossings into Gaza now.”