Freedom Flotilla Activities

The International Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a global umbrella platform that acts to end the inhumane blockade in Gaza and to bring an end to Israel's occupation. The coalition includes stakeholder organizations from 12 countries, as well as individual activists from various nations. These stakeholder countries are: Turkey, South Africa, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Canada, the United States, and Brazil.[1]

Since 2008, the Coalition has organized flotillas in collaboration with campaign communities, platforms, and official NGOs in the aforementioned countries to break the inhumane blockade on Gaza by sea. While some of these flotillas managed to reach the shores of Gaza, others were attacked by Israeli forces. Some of the flotilla campaigns organized by the International Freedom Flotilla Coalition in the Mediterranean are as follows:

• Free Gaza Movement: On August 23, 2008, a total of 44 activists aboard two boats named Liberty and Free Gazasuccessfully reached Gaza. They delivered medical supplies to the people of Gaza and visited hospitals and schools over a period of six days.[2]

• Mavi Marmara: Departing on May 31, 2010, this humanitarian aid flotilla included over 700 people from 36 countries aboard six ships. The Mavi Marmara ship was attacked by the Israeli military in international waters and failed to break the blockade. Ten activists were killed in the attack, while others were detained and subjected to mistreatment in Israel. Although the ship did not reach Gaza, the incident triggered international legal cases against Israel and significantly damaged its global reputation.[3]

• Freedom Flotilla III: In 2015, the Coalition attempted another mission with the vessels Marianne (Sweden), Juliano(Greece, Corfu), and Agios Nikolaos (Greece, Athens). Due to sabotage and technical issues, only Marianneapproached Gaza, but was intercepted by Israeli forces on June 29. The activists were detained in Givon Prison and later deported. Following the incident, ships Juliano II, Rachel, and Vittorio returned to port.[4]

• Mediterranean, Anatolia, Conscience, Handala, and Madleen Ships: One year after Israel intensified its genocide on October 7, 2023, the Coalition launched a new flotilla campaign in April 2024 to raise public awareness and challenge the blockade. Ships named Mediterranean, Conscience, and Anatolia were prepared in Turkey, while Handala came from Norway. The plan was to unite the ships at sea and sail to Gaza. However, Mediterranean lost its Palauan flag a day after announcing departure and could not sail. Anatolia, a cargo vessel, continued humanitarian aid deliveries to Egypt and Jordan. Handala returned due to sabotage, while Conscience was blocked by Turkish authorities. In response, its owner, the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, initiated a protest called the "Freedom Watch" at Haydarpaşa Port’s Gate C. After 150 days, the permit was granted, and the ship sailed to Tunisia, where it picked up additional activists.

The Conscience Ship

Unlike the others, the Conscience ship warrants special attention. Registered under Guinea-Bissau, it became the Coalition’s only viable option after Mediterranean and Anatolia were unable to set sail. However, it was prevented from departing by the local port authority. The owning organization attempted to submit a petition, which was initially refused. After insisting on legal grounds with notary officials, the petition was accepted, though unanswered. Legal action transitioned into protest when activists blocked the port entrance and camped there for 150 days until the exit permit was granted.

The ship departed for Tunisia, where it picked up Turkish and European activists. Departing Tunisia for Malta on April 28, it planned to collect more activists there. However, in the early hours of May 2, just before docking, the ship was attacked by two Israeli drones at 00:23. The attack caused large holes, a fire, and critical electrical damage. The ship became immobile and risked sinking if attacked again. Media attention surged, especially in Europe. Malta’s coast guard eventually extinguished the fire. On May 4, activists were evacuated, followed by the crew two weeks later. On June 1, the ship was towed to İzmir for repairs.

The Madleen Ship

Following the attack on the Conscience ship, the Madleen became vital. Named after Madleen Klab, Gaza’s youngest known fisherwoman, it set sail from Sicily on June 1. It carried 12 individuals from various countries—including activists and journalists—and symbolically transported food and medical supplies. Despite being a small sailing vessel, its mission had global significance.

On June 9 at 03:30, the ship was attacked by Israeli forces using boats and helicopters. Activists were sprayed with a white chemical liquid before the ship was raided. The activists, committed to nonviolence, did not resist. Israel circulated photos of themselves offering sandwiches and water to appear humane. The ship was seized and towed to Ashdod. The activists were accused of entering Israeli waters unlawfully. Four who accepted deportation were sent home. Others were taken to Givon Prison. After four days, all were deported, though some were delayed due to airspace closures caused by Iranian attacks. Three European activists were taken to Jordan and flown home from there. The ship remained in Ashdod. Although it did not break the blockade physically, the Madleen succeeded in increasing global awareness and pressuring Israel diplomatically.

Legal Justification

The Coalition operates within the bounds of international law and is rooted in principles of nonviolence and humanity. According to the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, Israel is an occupying power in Gaza, and its blockade is unlawful. Blockades that cause starvation, collective punishment, or disproportionate harm violate international humanitarian law—regardless of whether Israel accepts these laws. Israel is not only required to allow humanitarian missions like the Flotilla but is obligated to facilitate them. Therefore, the blockade is fundamentally illegal, has been preliminarily defined as genocidal, and invalidates all of Israel’s legal justifications for it.[5][6]

[1] https://legalcasesagainstisraelattacksoncivilianboatstogaza.wordpress.com/2017/06/03/31-boats-challenge-israeli-naval-blockade-of-gaza/

[2] https://mavimarmara.org/sss/ozgurluk-filosu-hakkinda

[3] Mavi Marmara Gazze Özgürlük Filosu, İHH Yayınları, s. 15.

[4] https://ff3.freedomflotilla.org

[5] (Bkz: 1 Numaralı Ek Protokol, Md. 51, 54; San Remo El Kitabı, para. 102–104) https://mavimarmara.org/haber/ozgurluk-filosu-koalisyonu-hukuki-danismani-huseyin-dislinin-saldiri-degerlendirmesi

[6]https://mavimarmara.org/haber/ozgurluk-filosu-koalisyonu-hukuki-danismani-huseyin-dislinin-saldiri-degerlendirmesi