Written question – Illegal arrest and detention of MEP, activists and EU citizens by Israeli authorities in international waters – Violation of international law – Blockade of Gaza – P-002314/2025

Priority question for written answer  P-002314/2025
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Maria Zacharia (NI)

On 9 June 2025, the Israeli Government carried out a military operation against the Freedom Flotilla vessel Madleen, which was carrying humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip and starving civilians, victims of the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. The operation took place in international waters with drones, chemical deployment and the violent arrest, kidnapping and taking hostage of 12 civilians, including MEP Rima Hassan and well-known peace activists.

Israel has unilaterally imposed a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007. The UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry (2011) has ruled that the blockade constitutes collective punishment against the civilian population and violates the Geneva Conventions. The Israeli action in international waters constitutes an international crime, a violation of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, international law, the principle of freedom of navigation, international humanitarian law and international criminal law, while the Israeli Prime Minister is wanted for international crimes.

In view of the above:

• 1.What measures has or will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy put in place for the immediate release of the arrested EU citizens and MEP Hassan?
• 2.What actions will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy take regarding this act of hostility against EU citizens and a Member of the European Parliament, and what actions will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy take to get the blockade lifted?
• 3.Will the EU activate the mechanism of the human rights clause (Article 2) of the EU-Israel Association Agreement?

Submitted: 10.6.2025