FOR RELEASE
Monday, July 28, 2025

Media Contact, Beverly Rolfsmeyer
[email protected] and 267-977-0570

Green Party Stands with Handala Crew Seized by Israel

The Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP) stands in support of the brave crew of the Handala which was seized by Israel on Saturday, July 26. The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters in violation of international maritime law.

All eyes were on Handala as it transported 21 civilians to help deliver medicine, baby formula, and stuffed animals to the children of Gaza. The Handala, launched from Siracusa, Italy, on July 13, was attempting to break the devastating and illegal blockade on Gaza imposed by Israel and to bring much-needed relief to the Palestinians.

“Israel has no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the Handala,” said Ann Wright, a member of the Freedom Flotilla’s steering committee. “These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.”

The bravery displayed by the crew of the Handala is nothing short of inspiring. This was the third Freedom Flotilla ship carrying humanitarian aid to have been attacked by Israel. In May 2025, Conscience sailed to Gaza to bring relief to the population, only to be attacked by a drone which critically damaged the vessel and forced it to retire from the mission. Then in June, the Madleen was raided by Israel, and its crew members arrested, abused, and deported.

Israel has ignored the International Court of Justice’s binding orders that require the facilitation of humanitarian access to Gaza. Their continued attacks on peaceful civilian missions represent a grave violation of international law.

The Green Party of Philadelphia stands in solidarity with those aboard Handala and calls upon the necessary precautions and protections that States may offer in ensuring safe passage in the service of humanity and adherence to international law. We must highlight the conditions that prompt people of conscience to sail are predicated on the inaction of States to prevent this genocide from occurring. The United States government has materially and ideologically supported Israel in such a way that the genocide inflicted against the Palestinians ought to be known as a U.S. crime as well. The Green Party calls on elected officials to stop the genocide by refusing to fund Israel with our tax dollars and to cease shipping arms to Israel.

The Green Party of Philadelphia (GPOP, www.gpop.org) is an independent political party which stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPOP candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPOP, please follow GPOP on social media:  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  

For More Information See:

Freedom Flotilla, https://freedomflotilla.org

Photo,
July 26, 2025, photo, https://freedomflotilla.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Handala-boarded-1024x573.jpg

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