The Madleen, a new ship belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, has set sail to break the blockade on Gaza and to refuse silence in the face of genocide. Departing today, June 1st, from the Italian island of Sicily, the vessel carries 12 activists on board and is sailing for the freedom of Gaza!
Before Madleen, the Conscience ship had already set sail but was targeted by two Israeli drones while in international waters, approximately 14 nautical miles off the coast of Malta. Following this attack, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, staying true to its mission and vision, launched Madleen to stand by Gaza and resist this illegality.
Owned by the Mavi Marmara Association and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Madleen may face an attack similar to the one carried out against Conscience. You can follow the real-time location of the Madleen via the ship tracking system shared on the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s website, and receive live updates through our association’s social media accounts.
Let us stand united against genocide! Together, we will break the blockade!
🔗 <a href="https://freedomflotilla.org/ffc-tracker/">Track the Madleen – Freedom Flotilla Ship Tracker</a>

Since October 7, Israel has intensified its attacks, taking the lives of tens of thousands and leaving thousands more injured and disabled. During this time, some Gazans were taken to Egypt for medical treatment, while others were forced to migrate to Egypt to join their families and relatives there.
Although the lives of Gazans who crossed into Egypt may not be as difficult as those still in Gaza, the struggle to make ends meet and the pressures of daily life weigh heavily on them as well. At this point, we, as the Mavi Marmara Association, are extending our hand to support the Gazans in Egypt through your generous contributions.
Thanks to your flour donations, we were able to distribute one sack of flour to each of 880 Palestinian families living under difficult conditions in Egypt. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed financially to make this organization possible.

With the slogan **"The Blessed Journey Continues!"**, we have stood with the oppressed and the needy since the day we were founded—and we continue to do so. On this occasion of Eid al-Adha, a symbol of unity and sharing, we will be performing qurbani in **Palestine**, where people struggle to survive under the shadow of genocide, and in **Africa**, where poverty remains widespread.
In Africa, animals are carefully selected before Eid al-Adha. These animals are chosen in accordance with Islamic guidelines and made ready ahead of the festival. During the first three days of Eid, they are slaughtered according to Islamic practices. The names of donors are recited during the sacrifice, and videos of the process are sent to the donors. Afterwards, the meat is fairly distributed among those in need.
In our Palestine qurbani operation, sacrifices are carried out in slaughterhouses located in various parts of the world during the first three days of Eid. The meat is then separated, frozen, and transported to Jordan. In Jordan, the meat is processed into canned form at local facilities and preserved with a shelf life of up to three years. Once canning is completed, the meat is transported across border crossings into Gaza, where it reaches families in need.
 
Why Is the Palestinian Qurbani Meat Canned?
After October 7, restrictions on border crossings into Gaza caused a rapid depletion of locally available goods and prevented restocking. This led to a sharp decrease in the availability of animals like cattle, sheep, and goats, and resulted in a significant price hike for the remaining livestock.
Given these conditions, we choose the **canning method** to ensure more meat can reach Gaza and your donations benefit more people. The three-year shelf life of canned meat allows it to be used long after the Eid period.
 
Will Qurbani Videos Be Sent?
Yes. Whether in Africa or Palestine, donor names are announced during the sacrifice, and the entire process is recorded. These videos are then quickly sent to donors.
 
How Can You Donate?
You can make your obligatory qurbani donations via the **“Donate”** button located at the top right of our website. Under the Qurbani tab, you can choose to donate specifically to **Palestine** or **Africa**. You can also donate **thanksgiving, vow (nadhr), or aqiqah** qurbanis easily through the same platform.

The Topçuoğlu couple dedicated their lives to being the voice of oppressed regions. For years, they participated in numerous humanitarian initiatives, reaching out to the downtrodden. Both Çetin and Çiğdem Topçuoğlu were among the participants of the Mavi Marmara ship, which set sail in 2010 as Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza.
During the raid on the ship, Çetin Topçuoğlu was martyred on his journey to deliver humanitarian aid to his brothers and sisters. His wife, Çiğdem Topçuoğlu, survived and became a veteran of that attack. While recounting her husband’s martyrdom aboard the ship, she once said she did not shed a single tear over his body, as she did not want the Israeli soldiers to see her in that state. Today, on May 8, 2025, Çiğdem Topçuoğlu has passed away.
We pray for Allah’s mercy upon Çiğdem Topçuoğlu and extend our condolences to her loved ones.

The International Union of Muslim Scholars has issued a statement regarding the Conscience ship, belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which was attacked on the night of May 1st off the coast of Malta.
In the statement, the attack on the *Conscience* ship was described as "an assault on the conscience of humanity, the voice of truth, and the will to support the oppressed."
International Union of Muslim Scholars: “The targeting of the Conscience ship is an assault on global humanity, the voice of truth, and the will to support the oppressed.”
The International Union of Muslim Scholars strongly condemns the targeting of the Conscience ship, a humanitarian initiative launched to lift the blockade on Gaza.
The deliberate attack, which caused the ship’s engine to catch fire, clearly demonstrates how the occupying Israeli regime and its allies fear any free voice that exposes their crimes. It also confirms that the Zionist occupation is actively trying to suppress every humanitarian initiative that reveals its ongoing genocide against the people of Gaza.
This initiative was the result of global cooperation among credible humanitarian and human rights organizations. Its goal was to break the unjust blockade on Gaza and to send a message to the world that Gaza is not alone in this sacred struggle. However, instead of being met with peace, this mission was cowardly attacked in an effort to silence its message.
The targeting of this ship is part of a broader policy of evading international accountability and continuing aggression against a people who have suffered injustice, starvation, and mass killing for years in full view of the world.
The attack on this peaceful mission shows that the occupation regime does not hesitate to use all means to conceal the truth and deny basic human rights.
The International Union of Muslim Scholars calls on the international community—its institutions and states—to condemn these crimes and to end all forms of support for Zionist aggression. Everyone must put an end to complicity and silence, and must take responsibility to end the occupation and immediately lift the blockade on Gaza.
Doha – 9 Dhul-Qi’dah 1446 AH / May 7, 2025

-Update on the Attack Against the Conscience Ship of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition
On the night of May 2nd, the Conscience ship belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and launched to break the inhumane blockade on Gaza had docked in Malta to receive European activists who were coalition members. However, on the very night it was scheduled to take them aboard, the ship was attacked by an Israeli drone. A fire broke out at the front of the ship during the attack and was extinguished with difficulty. The Maltese government did not permit the ship to enter its territorial waters from international waters. Although negotiations between the activists onboard and the Maltese authorities continued, unfortunately, the ship was not allowed to reach a safe area.
Due to the incident, the ship suffered significant damage and was left unable to sail independently. In response to the activists’ requests, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that repairs could be carried out at sea and that the government would support this process.
On May 5th, the activists onboard were evacuated by Maltese government rescue boats. Six Turkish activists on the ship were flown back to Türkiye, arriving at 23:00 that evening.
A press conference was held at the Eresin Topkapı Hotel in Istanbul to address all that had transpired. Participants included Beheşti İsmail Songür, President of the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association (a coalition partner), the coalition’s legal advisor Attorney Hüseyin Dişli, Özgür-Der President Rıdvan Kaya, Mazlum-Der representative Ali Öner, Palestinian lawyer Reem Naim, Necmettin Irmak from the Rahmet Association, and activists who were aboard the ship during the attack.
The press conference was led by Ekrem Kubilay Karadeniz, Media and Public Relations Coordinator of the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, who stated:
&gt; “As we hold this press conference, a brutal genocide continues to unfold in one part of the world. The occupying Israeli regime continues to systematically annihilate the people of Gaza before the eyes of the world and condemn the survivors to hunger and thirst.”
&gt; “So what are world governments and international organizations doing in response to Israel’s actions?”
&gt; “Instead of discussing the necessary steps to stop the genocide in Gaza, we are now speaking of Israel and its puppet the United States’ sinister plan: the forced displacement of Gaza’s people.”
&gt; “Meanwhile, Israel has extended the flames of genocide it ignited in Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, and—as we’ve recently seen—even the shores of Europe. And yet, world governments remain indifferent to Israel’s gang-like behavior and continue to play deaf and blind, even as the threat of genocide reaches their own borders.”
&gt; “If world leaders and international bodies think they can get away with merely issuing statements of condemnation while watching videos of human remains carried in plastic bags and the bodies of children who starved to death, they are mistaken.”
&gt; “We believe the conscience of humanity has awakened. It has formed a collective will to stop the genocide in Gaza, and the only thing left for governments to do is to end it. Otherwise, they will be swept away by the wave of public anger.”
Beheşti İsmail Songür, President of the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, made the following statement regarding the coalition’s future course of action:
&gt; “As the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, we’ve worked for years with 12 countries to break the blockade on Gaza and expedite the passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza and its neighboring countries.”
&gt; “Since October 7, we’ve seen with our own eyes how Israel, in front of the whole world, has committed mass murder, indiscriminately killing the elderly, women, and children, and starving civilians in a campaign of genocide.”
&gt; “Following consultations with 12 countries, we’ve come to the clear conclusion that we can’t expect much from political leaders or intergovernmental organizations. During this process, we’ve held meetings with the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Mediterranean nations. We told them plainly: this is a genocide, and people are dying of hunger. In such times, politics, commerce, and treaties lose their importance. In moments of genocide, risks must be taken.”
&gt; “After long efforts, we prepared the *Conscience* ship. As you know, it was unlawfully blocked at Haydarpaşa Port for seven months. A major 150-day protest was organized to lift this blockade. Our stance was clear: the path of humanitarian aid to Gaza must be opened.”
&gt; “Unfortunately, we were forced to carry out this mission in secrecy and silence, despite its urgency. Perhaps none of you even knew about the ship until it was struck.”
&gt; “On the night of the attack, we witnessed strange things. The ship was not only hit—it was blacked out. Internet access was cut, power was shut off, and our distress calls to nearby countries were blocked. Communication with the Italian coast guard was intercepted. During one call, our emergency plea was interrupted by another voice saying, ‘No, we’re fine, we do not need assistance.’”
Legal advisor Hüseyin Dişli evaluated the incident from the perspective of international law and continued:
&gt; “From the moment the attack occurred, we followed developments minute by minute and coordinated with numerous civil society organizations, lawyers, and even officials from the European Parliament and the United Nations.”
&gt; “The fact that this attack took place in Malta was a shock to the entire world. But let’s not forget: between May 1 and 2, Israel carried out military operations in four different areas—it killed dozens in Syria, struck Lebanon, martyred 43 Palestinians on May 2, and attacked the Freedom Flotilla’s *Conscience* ship in Malta!”
&gt; “What we’ve long warned of as legal professionals has now been experienced in real time. Europeans, perhaps for the first time, felt it this closely. Israel’s terrorism and military aggression have now reached the heart of Europe. The volume of outcry we’re seeing from European media and politicians is tied to this. While many will respond selectively, it is clear that this attack has disturbed many who remained silent until now.”
&gt; “Immediately after the crisis, we established a coordinated response involving both Istanbul and Malta. We called for independent investigations once the fire was extinguished and basic safety was restored. However, we did not receive the necessary cooperation. Contrary to their claims, Maltese authorities did not demonstrate collaborative behavior until just two days ago. This morning, several members of the European Parliament are expected to arrive in Malta and join the observation team.”
&gt; “Breaking the Gaza blockade—one of the main goals of the Freedom Flotilla—has disturbed Israel so much that they attacked us in Malta. They pressured countries to revoke the ship’s flags, warned others not to issue flags at all, and created countless bureaucratic hurdles just to keep our ships from sailing.”
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Let me know if you’d like this in a document format or prepared as a press release.

THE WORLD'S CONSCIENCE CANNOT BE STOPPED!
Today, we have gathered here to shout loudly once again that the Occupied Israel is a threat to humanity. This Israel is such a gang that it carried out 2 drone attacks on the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Conscience ship, which consists of only civilian activists and whose sole purpose is to break the inhumane blockade in Gaza and to stop the genocide that the people of Gaza have been subjected to since October 7. The civilian activists on the ship included Turkish citizens and the crew included Azerbaijani citizens. We are also calling out to Azerbaijan from here. If you do not want to be remembered as a partner in genocide, immediately and immediately, end all your cooperation with Israel.
We are calling out to all the peoples of the world from here:
Israel thinks that this attack it has carried out will turn us away from our path. No. On the contrary, we are declaring here once again that we do not recognize and are not afraid of a gang structure like Israel. While thousands of tons of bombs have been falling on Gaza for years, the bombs dropped from two drones will never discourage us and will not cause anything other than reviving our faith.
The primary purpose of this attack carried out last night was to prevent this ship, which was acting solely with the mission of lifting the inhumane blockade in Gaza and pressuring Israel to establish an urgent humanitarian aid corridor, from leaving the port before it could set sail, and to intimidate people with conscience. Because in the early hours of the night, we understood that these bombs dropped by Israel with a drone on the front of the ship were directly targeting the ship's electrical system, and in addition, the satellite and network on the ship were blacked out. The ship was intended to be left without electricity and without a signal, just like the Mavi Marmara. In short, the ship's connection to the world would be cut off, and perhaps the next step would be to go even further and carry out an attack aimed at directly sinking the ship. But this gang organization shot itself in the foot again, and since the ship was close to shore, these images, which were served to the press over the internet, caused the people in many countries, including Europe, to see once again how cruel a gang Israel is.
So what will happen from now on?
We are calling out to Israel from here:
We are not afraid of you. Just as we launched the Mavi Marmara 15 years ago, today we launched the Conscience, and tomorrow we will launch another ship. When the genocide in Gaza ends and you get the hell out of the lands you occupied, then the Freedom Flotilla Coalition will have completed its mission.
From here, we are expressing it again to our people and members of the press:
This ship had only one purpose: To be the voice of humanity's conscience. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which includes institutions from 12 different countries and activists from 60 different countries, set out from Tunisia a few days ago with the aim of stopping the genocide that has been going on in Gaza since October 7th. And the Freedom Flotilla Coalition activists who will join the ship in the port of Malta will set sail for the Mediterranean, mobilize the people with the agenda works it will carry out, and put pressure on all the countries of the world to open an urgent humanitarian aid corridor to Gaza.
However, this treacherous attack carried out by the occupying Israel on the ship 2 thousand kilometers away from its own shores has once again revealed that this occupying gang is a threat to the whole world.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has carried out humanitarian activism operations at different times to break the blockade in Gaza 15 times since 2006 in order to lift the blockade and to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the Palestinian territories quickly. Since 2006, it has always defended peace, justice, freedom and solidarity against the Zionist occupation gangs in Gaza in particular and in all Palestinian territories in general.
And from now on, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition will continue to stand against Israel and by the side of the people of Gaza until it achieves its mission.
On behalf of the International Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association

Legal Opinion by Hüseyin Dişli, Legal Advisor of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, on Israel's Attack on the Conscience Ship:
"The Freedom Flotilla is not a symbolic protest movement; it is a legitimate and legal initiative of last resort, compelled by the grave negligence of the international community in stopping the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza—particularly the campaign of extermination through starvation. The organizers and passengers of this mission are doing what the states, which have deliberately abandoned their binding legal obligations, have failed to do. This humanitarian convoy must be recognized and protected as a lawful initiative under international law. Any state that refuses to provide a port, logistical support, or protection to the Freedom Flotilla will be complicit in violations of international humanitarian law and the Genocide Convention.
Any attack against the Freedom Flotilla constitutes a multi-layered violation of international law. The law is clear: the ships of the Freedom Flotilla have the right to free navigation in international waters. All states—including Israel—are not only obliged to refrain from obstructing this passage but are also responsible for facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Yet, Israel envisions an international legal order that serves its genocidal policies.
If the armed conflict between Palestinians and the Israeli regime is classified as a non-international armed conflict, then the imposition of a blockade cannot be deemed a legitimate measure. In such a case, the applicable legal regime would be the Law of the Sea, under which state vessels have the right to innocent passage through territorial waters. Therefore, both the blockade and any interference with a ship carrying humanitarian aid are unlawful.
On the other hand, if the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israeli regime is deemed an international armed conflict, the blockade remains unlawful. According to the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion from July 2024, Israel is considered an occupying power over Gaza, and under the law of occupation, the imposition of a blockade is illegal (See: Declaration concerning the Laws of Naval War, London, 26 February 1909, Article 1). Moreover, a blockade is inherently incompatible with the obligations of a belligerent under International Humanitarian Law—regardless of whether the party has accepted these obligations. A blockade is unlawful unless it is conducted in accordance with the lawful means and methods of warfare. This includes circumstances where a blockade starves civilians, constitutes collective punishment, obstructs life-sustaining resources, or inflicts disproportionate harm relative to its military advantage (See: Additional Protocol I, Articles 51 and 54; San Remo Manual, paragraphs 102–104). Under these conditions, the continuation of the blockade is not only illegal, but also obliges Israel to actively facilitate, not obstruct, initiatives like the Freedom Flotilla. Thus, the Israeli blockade is inherently and entirely unlawful, as it blatantly violates the principle of proportionality, has been preliminarily determined to constitute genocide, and renders all of Israel’s defenses and justifications invalid.
Failing to persuade various governments to halt the aid flotilla and failing to intimidate the participants—including activists, healthcare workers, humanitarian personnel, journalists, and state representatives—Israel has used its influence over current and potential flag states. Before the flotilla even set sail, all possible bureaucratic obstructions were employed. Ultimately, as explained above, even actions like stopping, inspecting, or denying passage to the flotilla ships are illegal. Yet Israel has gone further by directly attacking the Conscience ship. Israeli terror has reached the doorstep of Europe.
Because the mission of the flotilla aligns with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice, protecting the flotilla is a legal obligation for all states—and a moral responsibility for all peoples. Providing political, military, or diplomatic support to the peaceful and lawful Freedom Flotilla, or at the very least not obstructing it, is a duty under international law. This is confirmed by the ICJ’s ruling of 26 January 2024 and UN Security Council Resolution 2728. The duty to prevent genocide includes not only the obligation to stop it but also to take active preventive measures (See: Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Serbia).
Therefore, we call on all peoples of the Mediterranean region: go to the nearest ports in your countries, protest, and invite the Freedom Flotilla ships to dock. Make this demand clear to your governments.
We call on all states to act by all necessary means to ensure the safe and unhindered passage of the flotilla. We call on states and UN bodies to provide civilian or military escort to the flotilla within the framework of international law and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). This is essential to prevent further attacks and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Failing to publicly support, protect, or provide port access or safe passage to the flotilla—especially after this attack—constitutes a violation of obligations and participation in the crime.
It is now clear that Israel’s actions aim to block, seize, and destroy the aid intended for Gaza, and to prevent the breaking of its unlawful blockade. But, as Ismail Beheshti Songür once said, “What Israel fears will inevitably come to pass.”

Since the attacks on October 7, the occupying Israeli forces have continued their massacres without pause. At the same time, they are depriving the people of Gaza of essential necessities in an attempt to crush their hope and force them into exile. 
Following the ceasefire announcement, there were claims that humanitarian aid would be allowed into Gaza and that life would become somewhat easier. However, with the resumption of attacks, the clauses of the agreement allowing the entry and exit of commercial trucks have also been suspended. 
Under these circumstances, the people of Gaza are once again left in desperate need of basic life necessities — with flour being one of the most urgent. 
As Mavi Marmara Association, we continue our flour aid efforts to support the people of Gaza, within the framework of our expanded humanitarian relief operations following the October 7 attacks. 
You too can reach out a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in need by supporting our flour campaign.

After the Mavi Marmara attack in 2010, we established the Mavi Marmara Association to be the voice of the oppressed, particularly in Palestine, to defend human rights, and to deliver emergency humanitarian aid to crisis zones. This Ramadan, our association continues its work without slowing down.
At the core of our association’s goals is to be the voice of Gaza, which is struggling to survive under the shadow of attacks, and to deliver emergency humanitarian aid. We act with the vision of contributing to the defense of justice, human rights, and freedoms worldwide.
As the Mavi Marmara Association, we continue our humanitarian aid projects, educational activities, income generation initiatives, and efforts to rebuild Gaza with the dream of a world where justice is established, people have access to their fundamental rights, and oppression ends.
With this awareness, as we do every Ramadan, we continue to extend our hands to those in need. We deliver food, iftar, zakat, holiday gifts, and charity distributions to people in need in Palestine, as well as in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Africa, Afghanistan, and Yemen. The support we provide, with your help, brings some joy to our brothers and sisters struggling to live under harsh conditions in these regions.
This year, with the slogan "Let the Blessing of Ramadan Be Life to Brotherhood," in just 20 days, we have delivered zakat, fitra, fidya, holiday gifts, charity, iftar, and food aid to over 50,000 people in 9 different regions, and we continue to do so.

Since the beginning of the attacks, we have been working to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza as quickly as possible through our warehouse in Egypt. As the Rafah Border Crossing remained closed for extended periods, we expanded our efforts by renting a warehouse in Jordan to ensure a faster response. 
With the ceasefire in place and the reopening of the Rafah Crossing, aid deliveries to Gaza have accelerated. While our operations in Jordan continue, we have resumed sending aid through our warehouse in Egypt. 
The first aid shipment sent after the ceasefire included 22 tons of flour and 1,000 hygiene kits, which have been dispatched for distribution in Gaza. 
Additionally, three representatives from the Mavi Marmara Association were present in Egypt to oversee aid projects and hold discussions with officials.

As Mavi Marmara Association, we swiftly activated our warehouse in Egypt after the October 7 attacks to ensure the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Our primary goal was to provide sufficient food supplies to Gaza and prevent a hunger crisis among Palestinians. However, after the closure of the Rafah Border Crossing and the accumulation of aid in the region, we expanded our efforts by establishing a warehouse in Jordan, continuing to send aid to Gaza via Jordan. 
With the recent ceasefire, the acceleration of border crossings through Rafah has refocused our relief efforts in Egypt. To strengthen our projects in the region, our teams on the ground visited the Egyptian Food Bank, which has been working tirelessly to address Gaza’s urgent food needs. 
During the visit, discussions were held regarding food aid and humanitarian projects aimed at delivering supplies to Gaza through Egypt. We believe that this meaningful cooperation will help us reach those in need in Gaza more quickly and effectively.