The Freedom Flotilla. As the Palestinian people continue to suffer genocide and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe; while on this May 18, a new report from the UN on the human rights violations committed by Israel in occupied Palestine points to the daily atrocities committed by Israel since October 2023, international solidarity actions are being repressed even in international waters.
Since the beginning of the genocide in Gaza, the Freedom Flotillas that attempt to break the illegal blockade imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people are being unlawfully intercepted by Israel even in international waters. This May 19, 2026, around 2:00 pm, one of the boats from the latest Freedom Flotilla, the Mi’ar Peluxo, was intercepted completely illegally by the Israeli army while it was in international waters. Onboard was Meriem, a defiant activist kidnapped by the genocidal army.
She is currently being held in Israeli prisons, deprived of care and any recourse. Her last message was addressed to her fellow classmates from the Edward Saïd and Hind Rajab promotions at the La Boétie Institute. The France insoumise calls for the immediate release of the detained members of the flotilla illegally held by the Israeli army and for the respect of their fundamental rights.
Meriem, a defiant activist, is currently being held by the Israeli army. Meriem, a defiant activist, left Marseille on April 4 with the firm intention of breaking the blockade imposed on the Palestinian people. She had already participated in the Global March to Gaza last June, showing a consistent commitment to international solidarity with Palestine.
Further testimony from the Global March to Gaza – A firsthand account of repression by an LFI activist present on-site.
Her last message was shared with her classmates from the Edward Saïd and Hind Rajab promotions at the La Boétie Institute, a defiant foundation for intellectual elaboration and popular education. In the video sent before the communication was cut off, she once again testified to her determination and commitment to this mission of solidarity towards Gaza.
Since this arrest, the loved ones and supporters of the crew members have had no direct news from the intercepted activists. According to information from the French consulate in Israel, the arrested individuals are currently being held on a prison ship at the port of Ashdod. The consulate also indicated that usually, Israeli authorities do not allow citizens access to their personal belongings, including medications.
This situation raises deep concerns about the health of several activists in need of medical treatment, who are currently deprived of it. Such deprivation constitutes a serious violation of the right to health and the fundamental rights of detainees.
According to the communicated information, the activists now have two options: either sign a document recognizing an alleged illegal entry into Israeli territory, when their kidnapping took place in international waters, to be immediately expelled to their countries of origin, or refuse to sign this document and be transferred to detention. In this case, the activists would be transferred to the Ketziot prison. It is only at this point that they could finally access a doctor as well as a lawyer.
While peaceful activists are being arrested and deprived of their fundamental rights, the Palestinian population continues to endure bombings, massive destruction, and a humanitarian catastrophe in the guilty silence of the international community, led by Emmanuel Macron.
The France insoumise demands the immediate release of the members of the kidnapped flotilla by Israel!
The France insoumise calls on Emmanuel Macron and the government to step out of their complicit passivity and intervene immediately to ensure consular protection for detained French citizens, respect for their fundamental rights, immediate access to healthcare, and effective legal assistance.
The silence and inaction of a large part of Western governments in the face of these illegal arrests contribute to normalizing the repression of peace activists.
The France insoumise calls for the immediate release of the crews of the Freedom Flotilla. Solidarity with Palestine is not a crime.
