10 June 2025
*21:00 Jerusalem Time*
Eight of the twelve international volunteers from the Madleen appeared today before an Israeli Detention Review Tribunal at the Ramleh detention center. The other four had already been deported. Israel is treating all 12 as if they “illegally entered” the illegal settler state, despite abducting them from international waters and forcibly transferring them into Israeli territory. Each has also been issued a 100-year entry ban.
Adalah’s legal team argued that Israel’s seizure of the Madleen, the detention of peaceful volunteers, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza violates international law. They emphasized that the blockade on Gaza is an illegal act of collective punishment and breaches provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice in the genocide case of South Africa v. Israel.
The legal team further explained that Israel lacks jurisdiction, as the volunteers were captured in international waters. They called for the immediate release of all detainees, their return to the Madleen, and the delivery of aid to Gaza.
The activists told the tribunal they were kidnapped and brought into Israel by force. They reiterated that their mission was to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the illegal blockade. When questioned about the blockade, they responded that it has no legal basis under international law. One activist, Thiago Ávila, has been on a hunger and water strike since 4 a.m. yesterday. Others reported poor conditions in detention, including bed bugs and undrinkable tap water.
The state requested that the activists remain in custody until deportation. Under Israeli law, those issued deportation orders may be detained for 72 hours before forced removal unless they agree to leave earlier. Adalah demands their immediate and unconditional release. A decision from the tribunal is expected later today.
The seizure, detention, and attempted deportation of the our team are clear violations of international law and Israeli law. They must be released immediately and unconditionally. We will not be silent. The blockade is illegal. Our mission remains: to break the siege and deliver aid to Gaza.