June Issue Comes out 6/30!
Freedom Flotilla Coalition Illegally Intercepted En Route to Bring Aid to Gaza
Salvatore Cavalli/AP
By Emnet Getachew
Editor: Himani Harrell
Early on June 9th (~2 am EEST), the Madleen, a ship that was filled with aid supplies for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, was intercepted. The vessel had 12 activists on board, two of the most prominent ones being Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan. Israeli forces had intercepted the ship and abducted the members on board just hours before they would have reached the shore of the Gaza Strip. Greta and her crewmates had anticipated this and pre-recorded videos directed towards their home governments, asking their countries to pressure the Israeli government into releasing them.
But how did this happen? Why were celebrity activists on board a ship to Gaza? Why would they consider that the Israeli government would stop them?
Conscience: A Failed Attempt
Before the Madleen, another ship had been sent by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The Conscience, a boat which had been filled with humanitarian aid, had barely left the coast of Malta before drones attacked it. It had set sail to break the siege on Gaza that had prevented foreign aid from entering the strip for months. The Israeli government has not claimed responsibility for the attack; however, it is alleged that a Lockheed C-130 Hercules—an aircraft used by the Israeli Air Force to deploy drones—was spotted hovering over the capital of Malta before heading to the area where the Conscience was located.
The crew members, however, did not take this attack lightly. For example, Ismail Songur, an activist who turned to TikTok to tell others about the damaged ship he was on. Even in distress, he used his videos to encourage and strengthen those listening, speaking inspiring words of bravery. “…I am speaking especially to Israel. Whatever you are trying to do, you will never succeed… all of humanity has risen.”
A week's worth of… peace? Before the interception.
In response to this terrifying attack, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition chose not to back down. Instead, they came up with a new approach. The previous ship had not garnered enough attention for politicians to have to pay attention. This new aid ship would gather the most famous activists together, so the world would have no choice but to keep their eyes on the ship.
Named after Palestine's first female fisherman, the Madleen set sail from Sicily on June 1st. Aboard was food, medicine, and the world’s current most famous activist: Greta Thunberg. This sparked massive attention from netizens, with TikTokers spreading the news of history that was about to be made. “All Eyes On The Madleen” was found commented on thousands of TikTok comment sections, and people tracked the live location of the Madleen on a live tracker app. The world had its eyes on Greta and the Madleen, people from across the globe hunched over their phones, iPads, and laptops. We watched the tracker so intently by by because of an intense fear that it would disappear the moment we looked away.
The aftermath– Is this truly a war crime?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, but it doesn’t seem as if it will be enforced at all. Under the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, a blockade may be used in wartime if five conditions are met. A major one is that it may not stop the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. This was blatantly violated when the ship carrying food, medicine, and baby formula was intercepted. Because of the principle of Freedom of Navigation, being in international waters makes it illegal to stop a legal ship. According to the Fourth Geneva Convention, the detention of people delivering humanitarian aid violates its laws.
What about us?
This must all be very discouraging to hear. The only people who care enough to help other people are being detained, and nobody is doing anything to stop it. As a young person who wants to help much like you, don’t feel disheartened over this. Each of these people on board, both the conscience and Madleen, will have their names and missions written down in the hearts of the people in history. Their sacrifice makes us confront the reality of the crisis in Gaza and the corruption that led to it. History won’t remember our generation as being indifferent. Thanks to these people, we’ll be known as the generation that took action.
Don’t let corrupt military officials get you down; we all have a chance to help others and save lives. Take action, no matter the risk.
References
Bosch, Shannon. “There Are Clear Laws on Enforcing Blockades – Israel’s Interception of the Madleen Raises Serious Questions.” The Conversation, 10 June 2025, theconversation.com/there-are-clear-laws-on-enforcing-blockades-israels-interception-of-the-madleen-raises-serious-questions-258562.
Nation, The. “The Ship Trying to Get Aid to Gaza Won’t Let a Drone Strike End Its Mission.” Thenation.com, The Nation, 9 May 2025, www.thenation.com/article/activism/conscience-drone-strike-gaza-flotilla-aftermath/tnamp/. Accessed 24 June 2025.
Staff, Al Jazeera. “Who’s on Board the Madleen Gaza Flotilla, and Where Has It Reached so Far?” Al Jazeera, 3 June 2025, www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/3/whos-onboard-the-madleen-gaza-flotilla-and-where-has-it-reached-so-far.