1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

The Israeli military's detainment of the civilian ship Madleen and its passengers, including renowned environmental activist Greta Thunberg, is a concerning violation of international maritime law and human rights. The ship was attempting to break the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory. Israel's boarding and seizure of the unarmed vessel on a peaceful mission is an unjustified and disproportionate act that unduly restricts freedom of movement and prevents vital aid from reaching those in desperate need. I urge you to condemn Israel's actions in the strongest terms, demand the immediate release of all civilian passengers and crew, permit the Madleen to complete its humanitarian mission to Gaza without further interference, and take concrete steps to end the ongoing blockade which has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This latest incident underscores the urgent need to uphold international law and human rights by lifting the illegal blockade.