Israel to expel French 'Freedom Flotilla' activists, MEP Rima Hassan held in solitary confinement
Four French activists who are being detained by Israel after being intercepted on board the Madleen humanitarian aid boat sailing for Gaza will be sent back to France on Thursday or Friday, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Wednesday. One of the activists, MEP Rima Hassan, was briefly held in solitary confinement, an NGO representing the activists said.
Issued on: 11/06/2025 -
By:FRANCE 24
Israel is to expel by the end of the week four French nationals held after security forces intercepted their Gaza-bound aid boat, France's foreign minister said Wednesday, as an Israeli NGO said one of the French campaigners was briefly put in solitary confinement.
Rima Hassan, a member of European Parliament from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party who is of Palestinian descent, was placed in solitary confinement, as was Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, with Hassan later removed, Israeli human rights group Adalah said.
"Israeli authorities transferred two of the volunteers, the Brazilian volunteer Thiago Avila and the French-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan – to separate prison facilities, away from the others, and placed them in solitary confinement," Adalah said in a statement.
The NGO later said that Hassan had been moved back to Givon prison in Ramla, near Tel Aviv, while Avila remained in isolation.
Adalah said Hassan was put in isolation after writing "Free Palestine" on a prison wall.
Israeli forces on Monday intercepted the Madleen sailboat and its 12 crew members in international waters off the besieged Palestinian territory.
Four French activists who were on board the Madleen will be expelled by Israel by the end of the week, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Wednesday.
The four, who include Hassan, will be deported on Thursday and Friday, the minister said on X.
The remaining four, including two French citizens and Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, agreed to be deported immediately after being banned from Israel for 100 years.
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France's prime minister on Wednesday accused the French activists who sailed on the Madleen of capitalising on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for political attention.
"These activists obtained the effect they wanted, but it's a form of instrumentalisation to which we should not lend ourselves," Prime Minister François Bayrou said in the National Assembly.
It's "through diplomatic action, and efforts to bring together several states to pressure the Israeli government, that we can obtain the only possible solution" to the conflict, he added.
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Barrot added that priority in Gaza should be "an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, as well as immediate, unimpeded and massive humanitarian aid access to abridge the suffering of civilian populations".
"In no way whatsoever do the gesticulations of Ms Rima Hassan, her instrumentalisation of the suffering of Gazans, help to achieve these goals," he added.
He said the French consul had visited all four French activists in Israeli detention.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
Entertainment world reacts to Greta Thunberg interception in Gaza-bound aid boat
Israeli forces seized the Gaza-bound Madleen early on Monday morning. The entertainment world has responded to the action, which saw activists including Greta Thunberg attempt to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis.
Early on Monday morning, Israeli forces intercepted and seized a boat called the Madleen, which was heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid in what activists said was a protest against Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
A group of activists, including Greta Thunberg, will be returned to their home countries after the Gaza-bound boat they were travelling on was seized, Israeli authorities said.
Israel's Foreign Ministry dismissed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a post on X that "the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel."
Thunberg shared news of the campaign in a video update on 2 June that saw her wear a Fontaines D.C. charity jerseyand raise awareness for the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ trip, with the boat departing from Italy.
The group has claimed that authorities had “forcibly intercepted” the boat and acted with “total impunity.”
Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser, shared: “Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade - their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Thunberg accused Israel of "kidnapping" her and reached out for global support. In a statement, she said: “I urge all my friends, family, and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible”.
The entertainment world has responded to the interception of the boat.
Legendary rock band Garbage reshared a post that called for “the release of all involved immediately,” and before posting an update with the caption: “All eyes on the @gazafreedomflotilla . Let aid in. What is happening to the Palestinians is monstrous. How many more dead children do we have to see before the world acts?!?”
Singer-songwriter Cat Power shared an update on Instagram pushing for the release of Thunberg and the activists. “We demand the immediate release of all 12 hostages taken by Israel in violation of international law,” the singer shared in the caption, before listing out the names of those who were onboard the Madleen. “THE WORLD MUST ACT NOW. THIS IS A CRISIS.”
Norwegian singer Aurora shared an update that claimed the Israeli government offered Thunberg the option to “attack, arrest, or turn back”, while Irish rap group Kneecap shared an earlier update that said: “Solidarity with Liam Cunningham (Game Of Thrones actor) and all on the ‘freedom flotilla’ to Gaza”.
British singer-songwriter Nadine Shah also shared a video made by an activist on the Madleen, which said: “This is not the world you want to leave behind to your children. When you look into the faces of your children, know there are children in Gaza, the same age, and they have the same rights. They have the right to live in dignity, they have the right to live free. They have the right to just live. Do everything in your power, keep your eyes on us and remember why we are here. You need to do the real work, and that is to stop your government from sending weapons to Israel to commit these war crimes and atrocities.”
Bambie Thug, last year’s Eurovision entry for Ireland, also reposted an update that read: “We demand that Madleen is allowed to land safely and peacefully in Gaza with all activists unharmed”, while author Matt Haig shared the following regarding Greta Thunberg and the criticism aimed at the young activist: “Like her. Don’t like her. But she is the opposite of ‘performative’. She is literally heading into a genocide with a target on her back.”
After an almost three-month blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month. Humanitarian workers and experts say it is not enough and have warned of famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive.
An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group's vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta, organisers said.
The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.
French MEP Rima Hassan detained in Israel following 'illegal entry'
The European lawmaker from France Unbowed, whose parliamentary immunity is not valid outside the EU, was a member of the Freedom Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli authorities on Monday.
French leftist MEP Rima Hassan has remained in Israeli custody and was awaiting a hearing on Tuesday before an Israeli judge, after being detained the day before alongside seven other people.
Hassan was part of the “Freedom Flotilla”, a group of activists who set off on 3 June from Catania, Italy, to try to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by boat but were intercepted by Israel’s authorities about 200 kilometres from the coast on Sunday evening.
The Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry said then that the crew of the Madleen vessel had been provided with water and sandwiches but Hassan’s team said that after a brief, filmed, distribution of sandwiches during the arrest, no water or food was provided during the 16-hour journey to the port of Ashdod, which the crew was forced to spend on the ship’s deck until nightfall.
The 12 Freedom Flotilla members were then presented with a document urging them to recognise they had entered Israeli territory illegally. Signing it meant immediate expulsion, while refusal would result in being brought before a judge.
Four of them chose the first option, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Spaniard Sergio Toribio, and two French nationals, Baptiste Andre and Omar Faiad.
But the other eight refused to sign the document, arguing that the Freedom Flotilla was intercepted in international waters and rejecting the claim that they entered illegally.
These eight people are now detained awaiting a new hearing before an Israeli judge, who could order their expulsion in the coming days.
Hassan’s parliamentary immunity guarantees her freedom of expression and protects her from legal action stemming from any EU member state, but does not apply outside of EU territory.
The MEP’s team denounced the document presented as “a propaganda operation aimed at legitimising an illegal arrest and detention” and claimed it is “a blatant violation of her parliamentary immunity”.
“We strongly affirm that their humanitarian mission to Gaza was legal, necessary, and urgent; the arrest violates international law; the detention is illegal and arbitrary," the statement from Hassan's team also reads.
The European Parliament told Euronews on Tuesday that its President Roberta Metsola has been in constant contact with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hassan.
“We will remain in round-the-clock contact with all parties until it is resolved safely," a Parliament spokesperson said.
Were other MEPs ever detained?
This is not the first time a MEP was detained in a third country.
In February 2025, three MEPs - Isabel Serra (Spain), Catarina Martins (Portugal), Jussi Saramo (Finland), all from the Left group - were detained and subsequently expelled from El Aaiún, the main city of the disputed territory of Western Sahara, where they had gone to carry out a human rights observation mission.
“The European Parliament will always insist that all its members are kept safe and treated with respect as elected representatives of the people of Europe wherever they are in the world", the Parliament also said in its statement to Euronews.
Her detention and the Freedom Flotilla’s seizure have become a much-debated political issue in France and in Brussels.
France Unbowed published an appeal calling for the immediate release of the passengers and the lifting of the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
Its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon and MEP Manon Aubry also called for urgent intervention from President Macron and European and international bodies, declaring they bear a moral responsibility to defend these activists. A rally they organised in Paris on Monday to protest against the detention and Israel’s actions in Gaza gathered tens of thousands of people, according to Mélenchon.
In the European Parliament, The Left, the Socialists and Democrats and the Greens/European Free Alliance co-signed a statement asking for all the activists to be released.
Thunberg claims Israel 'kidnapped' Gaza flotilla activists in international waters
Swedish rights activist Greta Thunberg has accused Israel of "kidnapping" her Gaza-bound aid flotilla in international waters and committing a crime, speaking to reporters after arriving in Paris following her deportation on June 10.
The Swedish climate activist, who has become a pro-Palestinian campaigner, said upon landing: "They kidnapped us in international waters and committed a crime, but this is nothing compared to the genocide happening in Gaza."
Thunberg claimed Israeli authorities tried to make the activists watch "propaganda videos" but said she refused to look. "This is nothing compared to what's happening in Gaza, which desperately needs humanitarian aid," she told reporters at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The 22-year-old activist responded to Defence Minister Israel Katz's claims that the flotilla was a publicity stunt, calling it "ironic that they say this, given their own propaganda videos."
Thunberg and 11 other activists were detained June 9 after Israeli naval forces intercepted their UK-flagged vessel Madleen near Gaza's territorial waters. The group had sailed for nine days attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the blockaded territory.
The ship was towed to Ashdod port, where Israeli authorities processed the activists for deportation. Those refusing to sign deportation documents were to be brought before judicial authorities under Israeli law.
Katz said the activists were shown footage of Hamas's October 7 attacks upon arrival but "refused to continue watching when they saw what it was about."
"The antisemitic flotilla members close their eyes to the truth, proving again they prefer murderers over victims," Katz added.
Israel maintains its 18-year naval blockade of Gaza is necessary for security, whilst critics argue it constitutes collective punishment.
By AFP
June 10, 2025
Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound Madleen aid boat, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in international waters on Monday - Copyright Indian Coast Guard (ICG)/AFP -
Nir Kafri with Alice Chancellor in Jerusalem
Israel said campaigner Greta Thunberg left the country on a flight to Sweden via France on Tuesday, after she was detained along with other activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid boat.
Of the 12 people on board the Madleen carrying food and supplies for Gaza, five French activists were taken into custody after they refused to leave Israel voluntarily.
Israeli forces intercepted the boat, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in international waters on Monday and towed it to the port of Ashdod. They were then transferred to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, the foreign ministry said.
“Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France),” Israel’s foreign ministry said on its official X account on Tuesday, along with a photo of the activist sitting on board a plane.
Five French activists who were also aboard the Madleen were set to face an Israeli judge, the French foreign minister said.
“Our consul was able to see the six French nationals arrested by the Israeli authorities last night,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on X.
“One of them has agreed to leave voluntarily and should return today. The other five will be subject to forced deportation proceedings.”
In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel’s foreign ministry said the activist group had arrived at Ben Gurion airport to “return to their home countries”.
“Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority,” it said on X.
The vessel carrying French, German, Brazilian, Turkish, Swedish, Spanish and Dutch activists had the stated aim of delivering humanitarian aid and breaking the Israeli blockade on the Palestinian territory.
– Dire humanitarian conditions –
Israel’s interception of the Madleen about 185 kilometres (115 miles) west of the coast of Gaza, was condemned by Turkey as a “heinous attack” and Iran denounced it as “a form of piracy” in international waters.
In May, another Freedom Flotilla ship, the Conscience, was damaged in international waters off Malta as it headed to Gaza, with the activists saying they suspected an Israeli drone attack.
A 2010 Israeli commando raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which was part of a similar attempt to breach the naval blockade, left 10 civilians dead.
On Sunday, Defence Minister Israel Katz said the blockade, in place for years before the Israel-Hamas war, was needed to prevent Palestinian militants from importing weapons.
Israel is facing mounting pressure to allow more aid into Gaza to alleviate widespread shortages of food and basic supplies.
Israel recently allowed some deliveries to resume after barring them for more than two months and began working with the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
But humanitarian agencies have criticised the GHF and the United Nations refuses to work with it, citing concerns over its practices and neutrality.
Dozens of people have been killed near GHF distribution points since late May, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says at least 54,927 people, the majority civilians, have been killed in the territory since the start of the war. The UN considers these figures reliable.
Out of 251 taken hostage during the Hamas attack, 54 are still held in Gaza including 32 the Israeli military says are dead.
