KARAPATAN stands in solidarity with twelve activists onboard Madleen, reiterates solidarity with Palestine

KARAPATAN condemned the abduction of twelve activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, by Israeli forces while they were bringing food, medicine and other relief items by sea to Gaza, which has been suffering under a naval blockade for a year now.

Thunberg, 22, internationally renowned for her climate activism, was with 11 other activists, including Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan, from France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain and The Netherlands aboard the Madleen, which was intercepted in international waters while carrying humanitarian aid. The interception was a violation of international humanitarian law.

The twelve activists were forcibly brought to Israel and some later deported. Thunberg was put on a plane to Paris, where she granted interviews to the media to denounce their abduction and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Five French activists from Thunberg’s team, however, were taken into custody by Israeli forces for allegedly refusing to leave Israel voluntarily.

KARAPATAN is in solidarity with the activists in their consistent efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and raise awareness worldwide about Israel’s genocidal war and other atrocities perpetrated against the people of Gaza.