ICJP to Foreign Office: Israeli interception of UK-flagged Freedom Flotilla Ship is an ‘attack against the territorial jurisdiction and sovereignty of the UK’
London, 12th June 2025- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians has written to the Foreign Secretary calling on the UK to issue a formal response regarding Israel’s illegal interception UK-registered vessel ‘Madleen.’
On the 8th June 2025, Israel illegally seized the Madleen and detained its crew of twelve international volunteers. Israeli forces intercepted the vessel whilst present in international waters and located at 31.95236° N, 32.38880° E. According to reports, Israeli forces ordered the 12 volunteers onboard to throw their phones overboard.
The ship was operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and was carrying baby formula, 100 kg of flour, 250 kg (of rice, nappies, medical kits, and crutches, in order to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
ICJP has now written a letter to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), highlighting how Israel’s conduct was in stark violation of international legal norms. As the Madleen is a UK-flagged ship, Israel’s actions amount to an attack against the territorial jurisdiction and sovereignty of the UK.
Despite this violation, and despite the UK’s obligations to protect its vessels under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (‘UNCLOS’), the UK Government is yet to issue a statement in response to the incident. ICJP highlighted that allowing Israel to act in this manner not only endangers vessels aiming to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, but also puts at risk the international rules-based order and all other vessels sailing at international waters. Norms of Law of the sea are mostly customary ones by which states have abided by for years now.
ICJP’s letter to FCDO asks for urgent clarification on the UK’s failure to take proactive steps to protect the Madleen, what immediate legal and diplomatic steps the UK intends to pursue, and what measures the UK will put in place to ensure the protection of future British vessels undertaking humanitarian missions operating in international water nearby occupied Palestinian waters.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- ICJP is a legal organisation based in London, working to uphold international law and defend the rights of Palestinians.
- ICJP (9th June 2025) Gaza Freedom Flotilla volunteers detained by Israel as Israel continues to kill Palestinians attempting to access aid in Gaza.
- For more information or for media inquiries, please contact the ICJP news desk at press@icjpalestine.com.