The Netherlands must stand firm for its citizens and for international law and pressure Israel to free the Dutch Mark van Rennes and the other activists

A diplomatic and humanitarian scandal is currently unfolding – one that Europe cannot afford to ignore. Last night, the ship Madleen, carrying among others climate activist Greta Thunberg and 26-year-old Dutch citizen Mark van Rennes, was illegally intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. All twelve passengers – ten of whom are European citizens – were arrested and taken to Israel. The ship, sailing under a British flag, was in full compliance with international maritime law.

The crew consisted of peace activists and volunteers from France, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, and Turkey. Their mission: a peaceful attempt to establish a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. They carried no weapons – only baby formula, medical supplies, and other life-saving humanitarian aid. No threat, no violence – just solidarity and compassion.

The Israeli action is a flagrant violation of international law. An attack in international waters on a civilian vessel delivering humanitarian aid is not only immoral—it is illegal. Israel has no legal jurisdiction to act against a ship sailing under a foreign flag with citizens from sovereign European states on board.

Where is the European outrage? Where is the diplomatic response from The Hague?

DiEM25 Netherlands calls on the Dutch government to act – urgently and decisively. Mark van Rennes is a Dutch citizen. He deserves not only our support but our protection. This peaceful citizen has been unlawfully detained by a foreign power while engaging in humanitarian relief efforts during a crisis.

And this is not just about one person – it concerns us all. An attack on the Madleen is not just an attack on humanitarian aid. It is an attack on international law, on the Genocide Convention, and on the binding ruling of the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Over 50,000 deaths, including thousands of children. Hospitals out of service, food supplies cut off, a population suffocating in despair. And the Netherlands? The Netherlands remains silent. But silence is complicity.

We demand:

• An immediate and unequivocal condemnation by the Dutch government of the Israeli action;
• Direct diplomatic pressure on Israel for the immediate release of Mark van Rennes and all other detained passengers;
• A clear public statement in which the Netherlands affirms its commitment to international law, including the right to peaceful humanitarian action;
• Active engagement by the EU to protect its citizens from arbitrary detention outside legal jurisdiction.

What’s at stake here is not only the freedom of twelve brave individuals – but the credibility of Europe itself. If we begin to accept that a state can arbitrarily detain peaceful citizens in international waters, we are dangerously close to the end of a just and lawful world order.

Silence is no longer an option. The Netherlands must stand firm – for its citizens and for international law.

Carpé DiEM

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