The coordinator of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, has urged the government to condemn “Israel’s actions” after the ‘Madleen’ humanitarian aid vessel was diverted on Sunday night. The boat, carrying 12 activists, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, was heading to the Gaza Strip when it was intercepted.
“The Freedom Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted by Israeli forces. The support for the people of Gaza and the safety of the activists, including Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, are at stake,” wrote Mariana Mortágua on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
She added, “The Portuguese government should immediately condemn Israel’s actions.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which chartered the vessel, announced that the ship was approached by the Israeli navy.
“Contact with the Madleen has been lost. The Israeli military boarded the ship,” the coalition announced via the social network Telegram, claiming that the crew had been ‘kidnapped by Israeli forces’.
The Freedom Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was intercepted by Israeli forces. This raises concerns about the support for the people of Gaza and the safety of activists, including @GretaThunberg and @RimaHas. The Portuguese government should immediately condemn Israel’s actions.
— mariana mortágua (@MRMortagua) June 9, 2025
The FFC further denounced a “clear violation of international law”, asserting that the interception occurred in international waters.
“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” stated the organization’s director, Huwaida Arraf.
The Freedom Flotilla, formed in 2010, is an international non-violent solidarity movement with the Palestinian people, focusing on humanitarian aid, and actively opposing Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.
