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Türkiye's Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation Monday following Israeli forces' interception of the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid vessel Madleen in international waters, calling the action "a clear violation of international law."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry statement declared that "the intervention of the Israeli forces against the ship 'Madleen', which set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, including our citizens on board, while it was in international waters, is a clear violation of international law."
The ministry escalated its criticism, stating that "this heinous act by the Netanyahu government, which threatens the freedom of navigation and maritime security, once again demonstrates that Israel is acting as a terror state."
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that international opposition to Israeli policies would persist, declaring that "the rightful reaction of the international community against the genocidal policies of Israel, which uses hunger as a weapon in Gaza and prevents the delivery of humanitarian aid, will continue."
"Israel's aggressive and unlawful actions will not silence the voices that stand up for human dignity and universal values," the statement concluded.
The condemnation followed late Sunday's interception of the Madleen by Israeli naval forces in international waters.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported losing contact with the 12 people aboard the ship, including activists and one journalist.
Among the passengers was Turkish citizen Suayb Ordu, along with prominent figures including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.
U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who was in phone contact with the ship's captain during the interception, reported that "at the time the boat was intercepted, no one was wounded." She lost connection after hearing Israeli soldiers speaking in the background.
Albanese has later called for the immediate release of the Madleen vessel and its 12 human rights activists detained by Israel, while urging the breaking of the Gaza blockade.
In a post on her X account, she stated that the vessel bringing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip "must be released immediately." The U.N. rapporteur declared, "Breaking the siege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us. Every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable."
Hassan's team reported that "quadcopters were surrounding the ship and spraying it with a white substance" before contact was lost.
The 18-meter Madleen had departed June 1 from Catania, Sicily, carrying essential humanitarian supplies including baby formula, flour, rice, medical supplies, and children's prosthetics for Gaza's population. The vessel was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's mission to break the blockade on Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that the navy instructed the Madleen to change course due to its approach toward what it termed a "restricted area."
In a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry after the interception, it's been stated: "The 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries."
"While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity—and which included less than a single truckload of aid—more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza," Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
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