Turkey Slams Israel After Freedom Flotilla is Raided

Turkey has sharply condemned Israel, labeling it a “terrorist state” after Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen, a British-flagged yacht carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, in international waters last night. The Turkish Foreign Ministry called the seizure a “clear violation of international law,” accusing Israel of undermining maritime security and freedom of navigation.

The vessel, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), carried 12 activists, including two Turkish citizens, Yasemin Acar (a dual German-Turkish national) and Suayb Ordu, alongside Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan.

The Madleen aimed to deliver symbolic aid, including rice and baby formula, to Gaza and raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis there. Israeli forces boarded the ship early Monday, detaining the crew and towing the vessel to an Israeli port. The FFC reported that Israeli quadcopters surrounded the ship, spraying it with a “white liquid,” though details remain unverified. Israel, which vowed to block the flotilla using “any means necessary,” justified the action as enforcing its naval blockade of Gaza.

Turkey’s statement accused Israel of “using hunger as a weapon” and reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian cause, citing Israel’s “genocidal” policies. The ministry noted that its Tel Aviv embassy is working to secure the release of the Turkish citizens.

Tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem have worsened since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, with Turkey imposing a trade embargo and joining a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Palestinian officials report that Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza has killed at least 54,880 people, including 28,000 women and girls, 1,400 health workers, over 300 UN aid workers, and more than 220 journalists since October 2023. The interception has fueled global criticism of Israel’s blockade and military actions, with aid organizations and UN agencies accusing Israel of committing genocide.

Israel’s Handling of the Madleen Crisis vs. the Mavi Marmara Disaster

Unlike the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, which resulted in 10 deaths and a diplomatic crisis, Israel’s handling of the Madleen interception was notably restrained, avoiding fatalities and mitigating global backlash. The IDF’s Shayetet 13 commandos boarded the vessel without reported violence, offering food and water to detainees, as shown in Foreign Ministry footage. This “humanitarian gesture” and Israel’s commitment to transfer the aid to Gaza helped temper perceptions of aggression.

The presence of high-profile activists like Thunberg and Hassan posed a diplomatic risk, but Israel’s bloodless operation and quick media response, contrasting with the chaotic Mavi Marmara raid, demonstrated improved crisis management, limiting escalation with Turkey, France, and the EU.