Statement of the Executive and Political Committee of the People’s Fedaians Organization of Iran (Majority)
We call on all governments and international institutions to condemn the illegal detention of the passengers of the “Madeleine” ship by the Israeli government and to take the necessary measures to immediately release the detainees and prosecute the perpetrators of this act before competent international authorities.
The Israeli military’s raid on the boat “Madeleine” carrying peace activists and humanitarian aid, and its subsequent seizure in international waters constitute a flagrant violation of international law and the principle of freedom of navigation, and a direct attack on legitimate humanitarian activities.
This action is not only unjustifiable but also a worrying sign of the Israeli government’s determination to stifle the voice of civic protest and deny the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The boat “Madeleine” carrying twelve people, including prominent activists Greta Thunberg, Liam Cunningham, Rima Hassan (Deputy of the European Parliament), and Yasmine Najjar, set sail with the aim of breaking the blockade of Gaza and drawing global attention to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the region. The boat was carrying symbolic quantities of humanitarian aid, such as rice and powdered milk, and its voyage was considered a completely peaceful, unarmed, and transparent operation.
The ship’s seizure took place despite the passenger and crew’s peaceful surrender. The sarcastic statements made by Israeli officials after the raid, including describing the ship as a “celebrity yacht,” are clearly aimed at discrediting legitimate protests and distracting public opinion from the harsh and bitter realities of the siege of Gaza.
The attack on the boat “Madeleine” is a continuation of the repressive policies already implemented against peace and humanitarian aid flotillas. For example, in 2010, during the raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, Israeli forces attacked humanitarian workers, killing several of them, without the Israeli government or its allies facing serious prosecution or suffering any legal consequences. Despite numerous official statements, the Turkish government has, in practice, failed to provide any effective response. In other similar cases, activists like Medea Benjamin have been arrested and then released, without the relevant international institutions prosecuting or taking dissuasive measures against those responsible for these violations.
The recent attack on the Madeleine is a continuation of previous repressive actions against humanitarian aid flotillas, which have already been targeted by threats, drone attacks, arbitrary arrests, and even the killing of passengers and crew members. These practices constitute serious violations of international law and humanitarian conventions. Turning a blind eye to such acts amounts to normalizing repression and stifling the voice of international conscience.
We call on all governments and international institutions to strongly condemn the Israeli government’s illegal detention of the passengers of the “Madeleine” boat and to take the necessary measures to secure the immediate release of those arrested and to bring those responsible for this act before the appropriate international institutions.
The continued blockade of Gaza and the ban on humanitarian aids, while millions of people are on the brink of starvation and deprived of shelter, constitute a silent crime against humanity. In the face of this tragedy, it is imperative to take concrete and urgent action, beyond mere symbolic reactions or declarations of principle. The time has passed for formal outrage, but for effective mobilization to put an end to this unbearable situation.
Silence in the face of such violence equates the complicity with it.
Executive and Political Committee of the People’s Fedaians Organization of Iran (Majority)
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
