Urgent condemnation of the arrest of passengers during the “Freedom Flottilla” operation

Written declaration No. 811 | Doc. 16200 | 07 October 2025

Signatories:

Ms Gabrielle CATHALA, France, UEL ; Ms Alice BERNARD , Belgium, UEL ; Ms Magdalena BIEJAT, Poland, SOC ; Ms Laura CASTEL, Spain, UEL ; Ms Sevilay ÇELENK, Türkiye, UEL ; Ms Sophia CHIKIROU, France, UEL ; Ms Sevim DAĞDELEN, Germany ; Ms Cat ECCLES, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Constantinos EFSTATHIOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES, France, UEL ; Ms Ann GRAVES, Ireland, UEL ; Ms Michelle GRÉAUME, France, UEL ; Lord Leslie GRIFFITHS, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Andrej HUNKO, Germany ; Ms Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Christophe LACROIX, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Ettore Antonio LICHERI, Italy, UEL ; Mr George LOUCAIDES, Cyprus, UEL ; Ms Alessandra MAIORINO, Italy, UEL ; Mr Didier MARIE, France, SOC ; Mr Conor MURPHY, Ireland, UEL ; Ms Wanda NOWICKA, Poland, SOC ; Mr Berdan ÖZTÜRK, Türkiye, UEL ; Ms Sandra REGOL, France, SOC ; Ms Sabrina SEBAIHI, France, SOC ; Ms Anne STAMBACH-TERRENOIR, France, UEL ; Mr Alexis TSIPRAS, Greece, UEL

This written declaration does not reflect the position of the Assembly; only of those members that have signed it. It will not be considered further by the Assembly.

We, the undersigned, declare the following:

Are deeply concerned by the arrest of twelve passengers, including member of the European Parliament (MEP) Rima Hassan and climate activist Greta Thunberg, during the “Freedom Flotilla” operation aimed at peacefully challenging the Israeli blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid;

Are alarmed that vessel Madleen was intercepted and seized by Israeli forces in international waters on 9 June 2025, preventing the delivery of essential aid to Gaza;

Note that these arrests raise serious questions about respect for international law and fundamental rights, and that detaining and deporting peaceful passengers, including doctors, journalists, human rights defenders, MEPs and environmental activists, violate the values upheld by the Council of Europe, especially the right to humanitarian aid;

Regret the silence and lack of formal condemnation by the European Union and France;

Recall the Parliamentary Assembly’s previous calls for unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza;

Call on member States to condemn these acts, uphold human rights and the rule of law, and ensure protection for peaceful activists, doctors, journalists, and parliamentarians engaged in legitimate humanitarian efforts.

In line with Resolution 2582 (2025), we reiterate the urgent need for Israel to grant safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, ensuring the supply of essential goods to all Palestinians, particularly children and vulnerable individuals.