Over 700 activists in India condemn the UK government over Israel’s illegal abduction of the Freedom Flotilla crew

More than 700 activists and concerned citizens from across India have written to the British High Commission. They have demanded that the UK take decisive diplomatic action against Israel, to demand the release of the detained Madleen Freedom Flotilla activists.

On Wednesday 11 June, they sent a powerful message through the commission’s offices in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Goa. It conveyed a catalogue of concerns regarding Madleen activists and the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

Grassroots groups in India call on the UK condemn Israel

A coalition of grassroots movements in India, the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), initiated the letter. Numerous other people’s collectives and concerned citizens committed to justice and human rights have signed in support.

The signatories vehemently condemned Israel’s illegal capture of the Freedom Flotilla vessel Madleen. The genocidal state seized the UK-flagged civilian ship in international waters on 9 June. They also called out Israel’s illegal blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Together, they are demanding the immediate and dignified release of the eight detained Madleen activists, and the return of the four ‘deported’ activists to resume their peaceful mission. In tandem with this, they demand and end to Israel’s illegal blockade, accountability for its genocidal war crimes, and immediate, unhindered access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Madleen carried vital aid – baby formula, food, medical supplies – to the Strip. Gaza’s population is facing forced starvation due to Israel’s blockade and ongoing genocide. The letter states that the British Deputy High Commission in Israel has clear legal and diplomatic responsibilities to intervene in the defence of the UK-flagged Madleen and its detained crew. Notably, this is in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (Article 5). It demands accountability for their treatment, pressing the UK foreign office to act for the Madleen’s release, and supporting ICC/UN international war crimes investigations.

The UK has a legal and moral responsibility

The signatories call upon UK to fulfil its legal and moral responsibility. It urges the UK government to act without delay in defence of the 12 activists. Israel have unlawfully abducted and silenced them for their solidarity. The letter lays out how they cannot be penalised for upholding human rights. Notably, these are rights that the international community has painstakingly defined and defended since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

NAPM and all the 700 plus signatories demand the British High Commission, through its offices across India and its counterpart in Tel Aviv to:

1. Secure the immediate and dignified release of the 8 Madleen activists, including MEP Rima Hassan. Notably, this includes ensuring their protection from torture and clarifying diplomatic immunities.
2. Recover the Madleen and its cargo for Gaza’s urgent aid delivery.
3. Support the Hind Rajab Foundation’s complaint, pushing for a UK criminal investigation into Shayetet 13, Vice Admiral David Saar Salama, and other senior military commanders implicated in war crimes in the Madleen, Conscience, and Mavi Marmara incidents, holding Israel accountable.
4. Demand Israel lift its illegal blockade. This means ensuring immediate, unimpeded access to all land and sea routes for humanitarian aid, dismantling the US-Israeli militarised aid model.
5. Compel the UK to lead decisive diplomatic action to end Israel’s impunity. It asks the UK to hold Israel accountable for genocide, aligning with its justice commitments.
6. Urge the UK to champion EU naval escorts to protect humanitarian missions to Gaza. This is to ensure safe aid delivery against Israel’s aggression.

Demanding the UK initiate immediate action over the Freedom Flotilla

The letter states that UK’s obligation to uphold international law is absolute. Israel’s abduction of the Madleen activists, unlawful detention, and prevention of aid delivery demand unequivocal condemnation and strict sanctions on Israel. Both the UK and the international community should implement these. It condemns in no uncertain terms Israel’s horrific use of starvation as a weapon of ‘war’.

The signatories call upon the UK government to initiate immediate action towards release of all those detained. Moreover, it calls for uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Alongside this, it lays out the need for an urgent investigation and accountability into the genocidal war crimes of Israel. They also demand an end Israel’s impunity. It especially draws attention to UK and other powerful governments inaction, complicity, and direct participation in enabling its genocide.

Featured image via the Canary