[News] Four Madleen activists deported, eight others to remain in Israeli detention

[Anti-Imperialist News]

 Four Madleen activists deported, eight others to remain in Israeli
detention

The Hind Rajab Foundation filed a legal complaint in the UK accusing Israel
of violating international and British law by raiding the Madleen in open
waters

News Desk <https://thecradle.co/authors/news-desk-9>

JUN 10, 2025 -
https://thecradle.co/articles/four-madleen-activists-deported-eight-others-to-remain-in-israeli-detention
(Photo credit: Anadolu)

Four activists from the Gaza-bound Madleen vessel, including Greta
Thunberg, were deported by Israeli authorities on 10 June after signing
expulsion papers, while eight others remain imprisoned for refusing to do
so.

“Anyone who refuses to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be
brought before a judicial body in accordance with Israeli law, in order to
approve the deportation,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said.

On 9 June, Israeli forces intercepted the UK-flagged vessel in
international waters, more than 60 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast.

The ship was seized by Shayetet 13, Israel’s naval commando unit, and towed
to Ashdod port. Activists say they were held at sea for hours, denied
communication, and sprayed with choking agents from drones before being
forcibly detained.

Among those still detained are French MEP Rima Hassan and journalists from *Al
Jazeera* and *Blast media*, both of whom were covering the aid mission when
the ship was seized.

They are currently being held at a detention facility near Ramle, southeast
of Tel Aviv, according to legal representatives.

“These antisemitic flotilla activists closed their eyes to the truth and
once again proved they prefer the murderers over the victims,” Katz said.
“They continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish
and Israeli women, the elderly, and children.”

At over 60 nautical miles from shore, the Madleen was operating well within
international waters, where foreign civilian vessels are protected under
maritime law.

According to the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), Israel’s interception lacked
any legal basis, as exceptions – such as piracy or weapons smuggling –
require specific UN authorization, which was not present in this case.

Key allegations in the HRF’s complaint include the unlawful use of chemical
irritants, arbitrary arrest, incommunicado detention, and degrading
treatment of unarmed civilians.

The foundation argues that, as a UK-flagged ship, the Madleen constitutes
British territory under international law, making the raid a direct
violation of British jurisdiction.

The complaint, filed with the London Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit,
names Shayetet 13 and Israeli Navy Commander David Saar Salama, and calls
for a criminal investigation.

It also urges UK authorities to collect testimonies, issue arrest warrants,
and coordinate with Interpol and the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The foundation says the raid violates multiple international legal
instruments, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and binding
International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings requiring unimpeded
humanitarian access to Gaza.

It draws parallels to Israel’s 2010 assault on the Mavi Marmara, warning
that failure to hold perpetrators accountable will only embolden further
attacks on humanitarian missions.

HRF has filed nearly 100 war crimes cases in 14 countries targeting Israeli
officials. Its complaint over the Madleen is the first known case invoking
UK criminal jurisdiction over Israeli military actions at sea.
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