JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono criticized the interception of a humanitarian ship bound for the Gaza Strip, Palestine to open an Israeli blockade, warning Israel was obliged to ensure the distribution of humanitarian aid.
The Madlen ship carrying 12 activists who tried to penetrate the Gaza Strip blockade, was intercepted by the Israeli military on Monday morning which then took it to Ashdod Harbor in Israeli territory.
"I strongly condemn the interception of Madleen ships by Israel in international waters when sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. Actions that once again show Israel's indifference to international law and are a major blow to the suffering of the Gaza people," the Indonesian Foreign Minister criticized in a post on social media X, Tuesday, June 10.
As previously reported, the Israeli military intercepted the Madleen ship on Monday morning local time, as the ship carrying activists and humanitarian aid attempted to break through the blockade into the Gaza Strip, Palestine.
According to a statement posted by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FCC) on Telegram, contact with the ship was cut off as Israeli forces boarded it, as reported by WAFA.
Saya mengecam keras intersepsi kapal Madleen oleh Israel di perairan internasional saat mengirimkan bantuan kemanusiaan ke Gaza. Tindakan yang sekali lagi menunjukkan ketidakpedulian Israel terhadap hukum internasional dan menjadi pukulan berat bagi penderitaan rakyat Gaza.
— Menteri Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia (@Menlu_RI) June 9, 2025
I strongly condemn the interception of the Madleen ship by Israel in international waters when sending humanitarian aid to Gaza. Actions that once again show Israel's indifference to international law and are a severe blow to the suffering of the Gazan people.
The group reported Israeli naval vessels had surrounded the ship, while low-flying drones flew overhead, creating a tense atmosphere between those inside.
Later, Israel confirmed it had taken over a ship carrying activists and humanitarian aid to try to penetrate the Gaza Strip blockade, calling it a "globiny selfie ship" and bringing in a small number of aid.
Israeli media reported that the Madleen ship was being recalled by the Israeli Navy to the country's port, after previously the country's troops boarded the ship.
The "swaphoto cruise ship" belonging to the "celebrities" safely headed to the Israeli coast. The passengers will be returned to their home country," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Israel's Foreign Ministry said Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and others aboard Madleen were "trying to provocation the media whose main goal is to get publicity."
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The FCC said the ship brought some symbolic assistance, including rice and baby formula milk. Apart from Thunberg, the ship also carries 11 cross-border humanitarian activists, including Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament from France.
It is known that Israel, which had carried out a total blockade in the early days of the conflict breaking in October 2023, again carried out a total blockade on the Gaza Strip starting March 2, 2025. This was done to pressure the Palestinian militant group Hamas to accept ceasefire negotiations and release all hostages in the Gaza Strip.
"Israel's land and sea blocade is a form of collective punishment that exacerbates the risk of mass hunger. According to international law The ICJ order, Israel is obliged to ensure humanitarian aid is distributed in a sustainable and unobstructed manner, and ensures the safety of humanitarian workers," said the Indonesian Foreign Minister.
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