MALTA | May 15, 2025 – In the face of state terrorism, media silence, and mounting global complicity, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) today announces that its mission to break the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza will move forward, undeterred. We are preparing our next vessel, Madleen, named in 2014 after Gaza’s only fisherwoman at the time; a symbol of resistance and resilience, to sail in May to Gaza, carrying our solidarity with Palestinians and our cargo of hope.
Last week, Israeli drones attacked our civilian aid ship, the Conscience, in international waters. The bombing was a deliberate act of aggression and intimidation amid Israel’s 75 day total siege of Gaza: four crew members were injured, the ship was set ablaze, communications were severed, and the vessel was left adrift and taking on water. The attack occurred in European waters, in violation of international law, where it remains stranded. So far, this has been minimised by media and governments world wide.
“We live in a time where ships carrying the most advanced weaponry in the world pass freely, and ships carrying urgent humanitarian aid to a starving population burn. Israel is willing to bomb humanitarian ships to maintain its policy of starving the Palestinian people as a method of warfare.” – Dr Shahd Hammouri, University of Kent (May 2)
This attack is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader campaign targeting those who challenge Israel’s illegal blockade and systematic denial of food, medical supplies, clean water, and their fundamental right to freedom of movement.
“After everything we’ve witnessed in Gaza over the past 19 months, I’m not surprised that a terrorist attack on civilians in European waters went unanswered. This was yet another test on the world’s principles, and once again, the world failed. But we won’t let Israel silence us through violence, or allow Europe’s silence to frighten us. That’s never happened before – it’s never going to happen.” – Tan Safi, FFC volunteer
Our coalition is powered by ordinary people from more than 20 countries: doctors, teachers, engineers, artists, people of conscience, trained extensively in nonviolence and united by the conviction that no people should be deliberately starved, maimed, murdered, or forced to suffer. The Freedom Flotilla is moving forward, because the world has waited too long to take bold action.
We are approaching the 15th anniversary of Israel’s deadly raid on the Mavi Marmara, where ten humanitarian volunteers were murdered by the Israeli military. The siege on Gaza is protected not just by Israeli firepower, but by global inaction. Despite the risks, we believe that direct, civil resistance still matters – that active solidarity, can shift the moral compass of the world. That is why Madleen will sail.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition calls on the international community, civil society, and the media to demand accountability for the attack on the Conscience. We call on all governments to guarantee safe passage for our vessels and to uphold the basic principles of humanitarian law. And we call on all people of conscience: do not look away.
We will not be deterred. We will not be silenced. Gaza must live — and freedom must sail.
