Madleen Freedom Flotilla

I applaud Greta Thunberg for using her profile and talent in communicating so effectively, to highlight the plight of millions of Gazans. The shocking and apartheid treatment of Palestinians generally and the cold-blooded slaughter of Gazan women and children with bullets, bombs and famine is shocking to the world.

In case you are not already aware of my many interventions to press our Government to do more, to protest at the actions of the Israeli Government and the IDF, including my report and statements following a visit to the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel a couple of months ago, please let me know and my office will forward more information: Israel and the Middle East.

It is concerning to see the UK Government failing to uphold its responsibility to ensure the security of its registered vessels under international maritime law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The UK should be obliged to uphold its legal and moral duty to safeguard its own ships, particularly when they are under threat or in vulnerable situations. The Madleen was in this situation, in it’s noble aim to deliver much needed (albeit limited) aid to suffering Palestinians in Gaza. Its seizure by Israeli forces is not only illegal but is also morally reprehensible as well.

Since late May 2025, Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 400 Palestinians and injured more than 2,600 at or near the so-called Aid distribution centres in Gaza – these Israeli and US sponsored alternatives to the aid which had been successfully delivered previously. Every day there are more shootings and killings just at the point where aid is being distributed. It is quite clear that Israeli authorities are using aid as a means of continuing their butchery of the Palestinian people. Human rights organisations have condemned the aid sites and dismissed them as “execution sites”, accusing Israel of weaponizing hunger, while the UN has criticised the programme for failing to meet humanitarian standards.

The whole situation is completely unacceptable. I will of course continue to press for the re-establishment of humanitarian aid delivered in the proper manner. We also need a ceasefire to allow the hostages to be returned and to start rebuilding peace and working towards a two-state solution.
The Government ought to have taken swift and effective action to reaffirm its commitment to protect the Madleen and its crew. This ought now to include working through diplomatic, military and international channels as appropriate to guarantee immediate safety.

This is not just about upholding our national obligations but a humanitarian imperative.  The lives of the crew and the integrity of the UK’s maritime commitments are at stake.

If you wish to find out more about the campaign’s I am involved in and supporting to promote peace and justice in the Middle East then please contact me.