-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:

> “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.”

> “So what are world governments and international organizations doing in response to Israel’s actions?”

> “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.”

> “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.”

> “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.”

> “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:

> “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.”

> “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.”

> “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.”

> “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.”

> “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.”

> “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:

> “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.”

> “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!”

> “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.”

> “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.”

> “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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