Update: The three remaining members of the Madleen Freedom Flotilla Mark van Rennes, Pascal Maureiras, and Yanis Mhamdi have been released by the occupation after being abducted on international waters. -- June 16, 2025
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| Madleen Flotilla volunteer Thiago Avila from Brazil was released from Israeli prison. Photo X @vinicios_betiol |
Madleen Freedom Flotilla Volunteers Released from Abusive Prisons in Israel, Three Remain
Censored News, Updated June 13, 2025
Update: Rima has arrived in Paris from the Israeli prisons and Thiago arrived home today. However, three more volunteers remain in Israeli prisons, their release halted by the shutdown of airports.
All three were meant to be released and flying back to their families today, June 13. The French and Dutch governments must find alternative routes and get their citizens home, whether through Jordan or otherwise - NOW."
Brazilian volunteer Thiago Avila was released after being placed in solitary confinement and going on a hunger strike.
"After being released and shipped to Madrid, Ávila stated, "I plan to return with the Freedom Flotilla to bring aid to Gaza." He was still wearing the clothes from his second prison stay, and according to media reports, his body bore marks left by insect bites," Telesur reports.
Middle East Monitor reports the arrival of two volunteers in Germany.
Middle East Monitor reports the arrival of two volunteers in Germany.
"Two activists detained by Israel after attempting to break the Gaza blockade returned to Berlin on Thursday, strongly criticizing Israeli military actions and pledging to continue their humanitarian mission, Anadolu reports.
"Turkish citizen Suayb Ordu and German citizen Yasemin Acar arrived at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) where they were greeted by a crowd of Palestine supporters. Amid emotional scenes and chants supporting Palestine, supporters presented flowers to both activists."
"Turkish citizen Suayb Ordu and German citizen Yasemin Acar arrived at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) where they were greeted by a crowd of Palestine supporters. Amid emotional scenes and chants supporting Palestine, supporters presented flowers to both activists."
PALESTINE ONLINE said:
European Parliamentarian Rima Hassan refused to change her prison clothes and directly joined the anti-genocide voices in Paris upon her arrival. Hassan had written "Free Palestine" on the walls of her cell inside Israeli prisons and refused to sign the deportation papers after she was abducted.
European Parliamentarian Rima Hassan refused to change her prison clothes and directly joined the anti-genocide voices in Paris upon her arrival. Hassan had written "Free Palestine" on the walls of her cell inside Israeli prisons and refused to sign the deportation papers after she was abducted.
Previous post: Freedom Flotilla said:
"We have just been informed that Rima has been moved from solitary back to Givon. Thiago remains in solitary.
"We have just been informed that Rima has been moved from solitary back to Givon. Thiago remains in solitary.
"News as of 6 pm Jerusalem time: Thiago Ávila and Rima Hassan are now held in solitary confinement under punitive and inhumane conditions: Thiago was placed in isolation in Ayalon Prison due to his ongoing hunger and thirst strike, which he began two days ago. He has also been treated aggressively by prison authorities, although this has not escalated to physical assault.
"Rima Hassan was placed in isolation under inhumane conditions in Neve Tirza Prison after writing “Free Palestine” on a wall in Givon Prison. She was moved to a small, windowless cell with extremely poor hygienic conditions and has been denied access to the prison yard. The others remain illegally detained by Israeli authorities. Adalah lawyers demand their immediate release and an end to retaliatory measures."
French Doctor Describes Abuse in Prison
Dr. Benjamin André, a member of the Madleen Freedom Flotilla, has returned to France after being illegally detained by Israel. When they arrived at the Port of Ashdod, 200 soldiers were waiting for them. They went through several body searches, and in detention, it was hard to get food and water, it took over three hours to get a piece of bread. They were denied sanitary facilities. As soon as Greta fell asleep, immigration officials would begin to mock her, and play loud music.
Andre reports abuse and sleep deprivation, especially targeting Greta Thunberg. The Israeli authorities used loud music whenever the activists would sleep to deprive them from sleeping, and says he was forced to sign a false document to be released. Other activists, including European Parliament member Rima Hassan, refused to sign.
Andre said he signed the "request for deportation" which said he could leave within hours. It was presented by his consul, and he was told he could choose whether to sign. He said he signed and left for family reasons, and to testify for the others on the Flotilla who remain in prison.
Al Jazeera journalist Omar Faiad, who was released after signing documents said Rima Hassan is still there.
She refuses to sign the papers and was directly threatened by an officer who said: "I'll smash your head against the wall if you don't sign. We'll handle this our own way.'"
“We were sprayed with white liquid on the boat,” he said on camera when it happened.
“I still have marks on my skin, and the Israeli authorities never explained what the substance was," Al Jazeera reports.
Reporters without borders said, "According to Omar Faiad, several detainees were threatened with violence by Israeli soldiers on board the Madleen."
"Reporters Without Borders condemns these arbitrary detentions and demands the release of Yanis Mhamdi."
Freedom Flotilla: Eight in detention appear before Israeli tribunal, Brazilian activist on hunger strike. Greta Thunberg among four deported.
By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, June 10, 2025
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| Photo Kuwait Times |
Greta said the conditions she faced were nothing compared to the conditions that Palestinians are enduring. "The real story is that there is a real genocide going on in Gaza, and a systematic starvation following the siege, and the blockade now of food and desperately needed water."
She said there are efforts now by land and water to break the siege and open up a humanitarian corridor. She said she wasn't able to talk to the others on the flotilla, and some were having problems seeing lawyers. "I wasn't able to say goodbye. I'm very worried about them."
Greta said what is happening in Palestine is a systematic war crime by Israel and a genocide that the world is watching. She said there is a "betrayal by our own government."
Greta said she did not sign any papers from Israel that said she entered Israel illegally, and made it clear she was kidnapped and brought to Israel illegally.
Greta said they will continue in every way they can to bring aid to Gaza.
“Because of racism.”
Freedom Flotilla Coalition Update – June 10, 2025
"Eight from the 'Madleen' remain illegally detained by #Israel after being abducted in international waters while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Today, they were brought before a detention tribunal at Ramleh. Israel continues to falsely claim they “illegally entered” — despite taking them at sea and transferring them into Israeli territory against their will. The state has imposed 100-year entry bans on all of those aboard the #Madleen."
"Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila has been on hunger and water strike since early yesterday. Others report unsanitary conditions, including bed bug infestations and no access to safe drinking water. The seizure, detention, and attempted deportation of the our team are clear violations of international law and Israeli law. They must be released immediately and unconditionally. We will not be silent. The blockade is illegal. Our mission remains: to break the siege and deliver aid to #Gaza," Freedom Flotilla said.
"Eight from the 'Madleen' remain illegally detained by #Israel after being abducted in international waters while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Today, they were brought before a detention tribunal at Ramleh. Israel continues to falsely claim they “illegally entered” — despite taking them at sea and transferring them into Israeli territory against their will. The state has imposed 100-year entry bans on all of those aboard the #Madleen."
"Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila has been on hunger and water strike since early yesterday. Others report unsanitary conditions, including bed bug infestations and no access to safe drinking water. The seizure, detention, and attempted deportation of the our team are clear violations of international law and Israeli law. They must be released immediately and unconditionally. We will not be silent. The blockade is illegal. Our mission remains: to break the siege and deliver aid to #Gaza," Freedom Flotilla said.
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| Freedom Flotilla statement today excerpt. |
Earlier, the Freedom Coalition said:
"The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that 4 of the 12 abducted from international waters have been deported, while 8 remain unjustly detained. Israel is handling the custody of all 12 as though they had entered illegally—even though they were forcibly abducted from international waters and brought into Israel against their will."
"Those who did not consent to leave remain in detention and will appear before a tribunal. Our lawyers will argue for their release and the right to return to their lawful mission. But we know Israel’s so-called "justice system" exists to uphold apartheid, occupation and colonization—not deliver justice. The tribunal will ultimately order their forced expulsion."
"While the world stands by 'Madleen', we must also stand by and fight for Palestinians unlawfully imprisoned. According to Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, as of June 4, 2025, there are over 10,400 Palestinians held captive in Israeli dungeons. Of those, more than 400 are children and more than 3,500 are held without trial, charge, or minimal due process."
"The world is watching," the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said.
Rima Hassan, EU Parliament member from France, refused to sign and will be taken to Givon prison in Ramla, central Israel.
The HindRajabFoundation has filed a criminal complaint in the UK against elite unit Shayetet 13, under the command of Vice Admiral David Saar Salama over Israel’s illegal raid on the British-flagged aid ship #Madleen and the abduction of 12 people.
The violations of the Geneva Conventions include:
The unlawful use of chemical irritants from drones;
Forcible detention and incommunicado confinement of 12 unarmed civilians;
Denial of legal and consular access;
Confiscation of humanitarian aid and personal belongings;
Degrading and inhuman treatment.
We are at Ashdod Port, where the Israeli occupation forces are now bringing in the Madleen and the activists they abducted from the Freedom Flotilla.Here is our statement: "In horror of the genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza, we as activists in Palestine have come to express our support and solidarity with the Madleen as part of the Freedom Flotilla, whose activists were abducted by the Israel Occupation forces. We join the call to lift the siege, end the starvation in Gaza, and stop the genocide. We urge the international community to impose immediate sanctions on Israel. Release the Madleen activists, free gaza, free Palestine!"
Amid genocide and famine, the people of Gaza held a protest to condemn the hijacking of the Madleen and the abduction of its crew. https://x.com/BIG__Brother7
.Read more in AlJazeera's live coverage
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) confirms that its civilian ship, Madleen, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, has been attacked/forcibly intercepted by the Israeli military at 3:02 am CET in international waters at 31.95236° N, 32.38880° E. The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” said Huwaida Arraf, human rights attorney and Freedom Flotilla organizer. “This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the ICJ’s binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Israel is once again acting with total impunity. It has defied the International Court of Justice’s binding orders to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, disregarded the international laws protecting civilian navigation, and dismissed the demands of millions worldwide calling for an end to the siege and genocide.
This latest act of aggression against the FFC follows the unpunished Israeli drone attack on our previous vessel, Conscience, which left four civilian volunteers injured and the ship disabled and burning in European waters. That unprovoked assault violated international law. Now, Israel has escalated again by targeting another peaceful civilian vessel.
We demand:
• An end to the illegal and deadly siege of Gaza.
• The immediate release of all abducted volunteers;
• The immediate delivery of humanitarian aid directly to Palestinians that is independent of the control of the occupying power
• Full accountability for the military assaults on Madleen and Conscience;
Governments must fulfill their obligations under international law and stop enabling Israel’s crimes. We are undeterred. We will sail again. We will not stop until the siege ends and Palestine is free.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla said: Urgent: Madleen has been Attacked
Sunday 9 p.m. New York time
In a statement just released, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has accused Israel of “forcibly intercepting” the Madleen and acting with “total impunity”.
It says that at 3.02am CET, the ship was “unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.”
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” said Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, has called on others to send aid vessels to Gaza, adding “BreakingTheSiege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us.”
While #Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable.”
"Moments ago, drones dropped unidentified chemicals on the Madleen. Immediately after, our peaceful volunteers were rammed and intercepted before Israeli forces boarded the vessel. We lost all contact with them seconds later.
"Act now. Contact the Israeli embassy in your country immediately. Demand our volunteers are safe and unharmed. Call on your government to impose sanctions on Israel without delay.
"What happened to our volunteers is a small glimpse of what Palestinians in Gaza endure daily—for nearly two years. This is not just an attack on a boat. It’s part of a broader campaign of violence and impunity.
"Break the siege. Stop enabling war crimes. It’s time for governments to act."
"Act now. Contact the Israeli embassy in your country immediately. Demand our volunteers are safe and unharmed. Call on your government to impose sanctions on Israel without delay.
"What happened to our volunteers is a small glimpse of what Palestinians in Gaza endure daily—for nearly two years. This is not just an attack on a boat. It’s part of a broader campaign of violence and impunity.
"Break the siege. Stop enabling war crimes. It’s time for governments to act."
Israel kidnapped a member of the European Parliament in front of the world
At the Place de la République, Paris, crowds are gathering in support of the Freedom Flotilla Madleen in response to the distress call issued by Rima Hassan, the Member of the European Parliament representing France.Freedom Flotilla Coalition accuses Israel of 'forcibly intercepting' the Madleen
The Guardian reports:
In a statement just released, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has accused Israel of “forcibly intercepting” the Madleen and acting with “total impunity”.
It says that at 3.02am CET, the ship was “unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.”
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” said Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, has called on others to send aid vessels to Gaza, adding “BreakingTheSiege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us.”
While #Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable.”
-- The Guardian
Freedom Flotilla: Meet the 12 volunteers who are sailing with life-saving aid, to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza and establish a people’s sea corridor:
Baptiste Andre 🇫🇷
Greta Thunberg 🇸🇪
Şuayb Ordu 🇹🇷
Mark van Rennes 🇳🇱
Omar Faiad 🇫🇷
Pascal Maurieras 🇫🇷
Reva Viard 🇫🇷
Rima Hassan 🇫🇷
Sergio Toribio 🇪🇸
Thiago Ávila 🇧🇷
Yanis Mhamdi 🇫🇷
Yasemin Acar 🇩🇪
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