OTTAWA — The Green Party of Canada is condemning the detention of climate activist Greta Thunberg and fellow human rights advocates aboard a Gaza-bound aid ship, illegally intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. The attack on this civilian vessel is the latest in a long-standing pattern of Israeli military actions that breach international law.
The Madleen was a civilian vessel, intercepted in international waters while seeking to challenge the illegal blockade of Gaza and draw global attention to the ongoing severe obstruction of humanitarian aid, looming famine, and mass starvation faced by Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.
“The blockade of Gaza violates international humanitarian law. It constitutes collective punishment of an entire civilian population,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. “The attack on this humanitarian flotilla is not an isolated incident. It is part of a systematic campaign to deny Palestinians even the most basic means of survival.”
The Madleen mission was launched in response to a worsening humanitarian crisis. After more than 600 days of war and 11 weeks of total blockade, Gaza is on the brink of famine. International agencies warn that one in five people face starvation, while humanitarian aid remains severely restricted.
“We must be clear. Intercepting a civilian vessel in international waters is a violation of international law and an attempt to suppress peaceful protest against the blockade of Gaza,” said May. “Canada must not remain complicit in these ongoing violations of international law. It is time to match words with action, by ending arms exports to Israel, cutting off economic ties with illegal settlements, and demanding urgent humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza.”
For years, Israel has intercepted civilian flotillas in international waters. In 2012, former MP Jim Manly was among approximately 30 international activists detained when Israeli forces boarded the ship Estelle in international waters. The vessel was part of a similar humanitarian mission challenging the illegal blockade of Gaza. The Green Party has consistently opposed these unlawful actions and continues to stand in solidarity with all those who risk their safety to bring aid and expose injustice.
The Green Party is calling on the Government of Canada to take immediate action to end Canadian complicity in the Israeli government’s collective punishment of Gaza. This must include a clear public condemnation of the illegal blockade and the obstruction of humanitarian aid, the imposition of a two-way arms embargo on Israel, the proper funding of critical humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, and the upholding of international law and the rights of the Palestinian people.
“We call on the Canadian government to act, not with empty statements, but with concrete measures that reflect Canada’s legal obligations and moral responsibility,” said May. “Justice requires a principled stand in defence of international law.”
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For more information or to arrange an interview:
Laurie MacMillan
Communications Director
Green Party of Canada