Mass Protests Erupt in France Following Interception of Humanitarian Boat to Gaza
Demonstrations occurred nationwide in response to the capture of the 'Madleen', carrying international activists including Greta Thunberg.
On the evening of June 9, 2025, tens of thousands gathered across major cities in France, mobilized by left-wing parties and activists to express concern for twelve crew members onboard the 'Madleen', a humanitarian vessel intercepted by Israeli authorities.
The protests saw participants carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "Gaza, Gaza, we are all with you," calling for the release of the activists and the continuation of their humanitarian mission.
La France insoumise (LFI), a prominent left-wing political party, claimed that around 150,000 demonstrators took to the streets, including approximately 50,000 in Paris, across nearly 200 gatherings nationwide.
The 'Madleen', which departed from Italy on June 1, aimed to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza, which has faced a deteriorating humanitarian crisis following over eighteen months of armed conflict.
Among the activists aboard are notable figures such as Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, alongside other international representatives from Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessel late on Sunday night, and it was escorted to Ashdod, a port city in Israel, where it arrived on the evening of June 9. In response to the interception, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the passengers would be allowed to return to their home countries.
Footage released by the ministry depicted Israeli forces providing food and water to the detainees, who were pictured wearing life jackets.
In Paris, LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon described the Israeli action as "an act of international piracy." He expressed concern for the crew's safety, accusing the Israeli forces of having a history of violent actions during such operations and criticized the French government's muted response to the incident, calling for further demonstrations in support of the Palestinian cause.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he had requested a prompt return for the six French nationals among the detainees, asserting that France remained vigilant and would take measures to protect its citizens in peril.
Macron characterized the humanitarian blockade on Gaza as "a scandal" and denounced it as a "shame."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that consular protection had been requested for the crew and that the government aimed to facilitate their swift return upon reaching Israeli territory.
Various leftist political groups and organizations, including Amnesty International, condemned the interception as a violation of international law.
In Lille, approximately 900 protesters convened, with signs such as "The France of Enlightenment extinguished in Palestine" and "Stop the massacre in Palestine." In Strasbourg, around a thousand participants voiced their outrage over the situation.
Organizers in Toulouse noted attendance of at least 5,000, underscoring dissatisfaction with current government policies regarding the situation in Gaza.
Marine Tondelier, head of the Ecologist party, called for international mobilization to secure the activists' safety and freedom.
Olivier Faure, the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party, urged European governments to provide support to the detainees, asserting that silence from global leaders would be a failure.
As the events unfolded, the Israeli authorities announced that the activists would be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for repatriation.
The ministry warned that those unwilling to complete expulsion documentation would face legal proceedings in accordance with Israeli law.
The 'Madleen' was reportedly captured while navigating international waters, an action criticized by many as a breach of maritime and humanitarian law.
The Coalition of the Flotilla for Freedom, which organized the voyage, has maintained that the detention is unlawful and a gross violation of international regulations.
Following their interception, the activists had been reported to have engaged with the media and had been actively documenting their journey until the communication links were severed just prior to the interception by Israeli forces.
The protests saw participants carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "Gaza, Gaza, we are all with you," calling for the release of the activists and the continuation of their humanitarian mission.
La France insoumise (LFI), a prominent left-wing political party, claimed that around 150,000 demonstrators took to the streets, including approximately 50,000 in Paris, across nearly 200 gatherings nationwide.
The 'Madleen', which departed from Italy on June 1, aimed to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza, which has faced a deteriorating humanitarian crisis following over eighteen months of armed conflict.
Among the activists aboard are notable figures such as Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan, alongside other international representatives from Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessel late on Sunday night, and it was escorted to Ashdod, a port city in Israel, where it arrived on the evening of June 9. In response to the interception, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the passengers would be allowed to return to their home countries.
Footage released by the ministry depicted Israeli forces providing food and water to the detainees, who were pictured wearing life jackets.
In Paris, LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon described the Israeli action as "an act of international piracy." He expressed concern for the crew's safety, accusing the Israeli forces of having a history of violent actions during such operations and criticized the French government's muted response to the incident, calling for further demonstrations in support of the Palestinian cause.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he had requested a prompt return for the six French nationals among the detainees, asserting that France remained vigilant and would take measures to protect its citizens in peril.
Macron characterized the humanitarian blockade on Gaza as "a scandal" and denounced it as a "shame."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that consular protection had been requested for the crew and that the government aimed to facilitate their swift return upon reaching Israeli territory.
Various leftist political groups and organizations, including Amnesty International, condemned the interception as a violation of international law.
In Lille, approximately 900 protesters convened, with signs such as "The France of Enlightenment extinguished in Palestine" and "Stop the massacre in Palestine." In Strasbourg, around a thousand participants voiced their outrage over the situation.
Organizers in Toulouse noted attendance of at least 5,000, underscoring dissatisfaction with current government policies regarding the situation in Gaza.
Marine Tondelier, head of the Ecologist party, called for international mobilization to secure the activists' safety and freedom.
Olivier Faure, the Secretary-General of the Socialist Party, urged European governments to provide support to the detainees, asserting that silence from global leaders would be a failure.
As the events unfolded, the Israeli authorities announced that the activists would be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for repatriation.
The ministry warned that those unwilling to complete expulsion documentation would face legal proceedings in accordance with Israeli law.
The 'Madleen' was reportedly captured while navigating international waters, an action criticized by many as a breach of maritime and humanitarian law.
The Coalition of the Flotilla for Freedom, which organized the voyage, has maintained that the detention is unlawful and a gross violation of international regulations.
Following their interception, the activists had been reported to have engaged with the media and had been actively documenting their journey until the communication links were severed just prior to the interception by Israeli forces.