THE Labour Government has been urged to protect a UK-flagged Gaza-bound aid boat that has been seized by Israel.
The Madleen, which carried the UK red ensign, had been expected to arrive in Palestine on Monday.
But the vessel, which carried campaigner Greta Thunberg and French member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, was stopped by Israeli authorities early this morning.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organised the voyage, said the activists were “kidnapped by Israeli forces” while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza.
“The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies —confiscated,” it said in a statement.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the ship was seized in international waters some 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Gaza and, given it is UK-registered, has called on the UK Government to act.
In a statement, the group said: “The 'Madleen', a UK-flagged civilian ship en route to Gaza, is protected under international maritime law.
"As a vessel flying the British flag, it falls under the jurisdiction and responsibility of the UK Government, which has a legal duty to defend 'Madleen' and the civilians on board, and to prevent unlawful interference-including any threat or use of force-by foreign powers such as Israel.”
"As the Madleen was reportedly intercepted and seized by Israeli forces in international waters, the UK Government must urgently seek full clarification and secure the immediate release of the vessel and its crew,” she said.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said her party’s government must act immediately.
Speaking on social media site X, she said: “Israel has no legal authority to detain the Madleen crew in international waters and confiscate aid onboard.
“The UK Government must act immediately to protect MV Madleen and uphold its responsibilities to its flagged vessels and humanitarian principles.”
Responding to the news of the Madleen’s capture, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP, meanwhile, 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.”
