Hafsa Alami
10 June 2025•Update: 10 June 2025
PARIS
France is witnessing widespread protests following the detention of several activists by Israeli forces aboard the Gaza-bound aid vessel Madleen.
Political groups such as La France Insoumise, and activists and human rights organizations called for the immediate release of those detained and an end to Israel’s longstanding blockade of Gaza.
In Paris, crowds gathered at Place de la République. Similar protests have taken place in Aix-en-Provence, Lyon and other cities.
The protesters called for an immediate release of the detained individuals and demanded stronger and more efficient diplomatic action to protect French nationals and uphold international maritime law.
Opposition parties and humanitarian organizations have sharply criticized what they describe as a muted response, even though the French Foreign Ministry has stated that it is following the situation closely and remains in contact with Israeli authorities.
Speaking in support of the activists, Jean Luy Melenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, condemned Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
“Since this war crime, which must be called an attempted genocide, the world continues to issue statements while the powerful, who usually lecture us on moral values, remain silent in the face of this massacre that has now continued for 18 months,” he said.
Melenchon further urged the French government to take stronger action, stating: “France, constrained by its inability to speak out forcefully and publicly, must now do the only thing it can, to recognize the State of Palestine.”
He also praised the detained activists for their courage and determination. “We salute the activists who, without hesitation, boarded a small boat, armed only with their convictions and courage.”
Madleen was seized by Israeli naval forces on Sunday while sailing in international waters and redirected to the port of Ashdod.
Part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the aid ship had a 12-strong crew on board, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.
Other activists aboard the Madleen included Yasemin Acar from Germany; Baptiste Andre, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi and Reva Viard from France; Thiago Avila from Brazil, Suayb Ordu from Türkiye, Sergio Toribio from Spain, Marco van Rennes from the Netherlands and Omar Faiad, a journalist with Al Jazeera Mubasher, also from France.
