MP expresses alarm over the treatment of the aid boat and its passengers, calling for urgent clarification from Israeli officials regarding the incident. He has urged the government to ensure the safety and swift release of all those on board
Member of Parliament Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Rusholme, has urged the Foreign Secretary to take immediate diplomatic steps following the reported interception of a UK-flagged civilian vessel, Madleen, by Israeli authorities in international waters. The vessel, which was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, was carrying international volunteers and emergency supplies.
In a letter sent to David Lammy on Monday, Khan expressed alarm over the treatment of the aid boat and its passengers, calling for urgent clarification from Israeli officials regarding the incident. He urged the UK government to ensure the safety and swift release of all those on board and to press for the delivery of the humanitarian supplies intended for civilians in Gaza.
The Madleen, flying the British flag, was part of an initiative to deliver essential aid to the besieged enclave amid Israel’s months-long blockade. Its interception has raised serious concerns among humanitarian groups and parliamentarians, who say the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza requires a more assertive response from the UK and international community.
“I urge you to take immediate action by seeking urgent clarification as to why this boat was intercepted, to ensure all volunteers return to their home countries safely and freely, and to ensure the aid does enter Gaza,” Khan wrote.
He went on to highlight the dire conditions in Gaza, where over two million residents remain cut off from reliable access to food, medical supplies, and shelter. According to the United Nations, famine is a looming threat. Earlier this month, all aid distribution centres were forced to shut down for a week due to security concerns and logistical obstacles, compounding the desperation among Palestinians.
“The violence we are witnessing is a result of decades of international partners failing to resolve the issue of Palestinian statehood,” Khan said in the letter. “It is imperative that a solution is found, and recognising the state of Palestine is the first step in the peace process to secure a long-lasting two-state solution.”
The Foreign Office has not yet responded publicly to the letter, nor confirmed the status of the Madleen or those on board. However, growing pressure is being placed on the government to respond decisively, with human rights organisations warning that failure to act will send a dangerous signal about the UK’s stance on international law and humanitarian principles.
Khan’s appeal comes amid rising international criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, including its restrictions on aid entry and military operations that have left thousands dead and displaced. Calls for a permanent ceasefire have intensified, with the UK government previously stating its support for increased humanitarian access and the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution.
Khan’s letter goes further, demanding the imposition of a full arms embargo on Israel to “prevent further breaches of international law.” He joins a growing number of British MPs and campaigners who argue that the UK must move beyond diplomatic rhetoric and implement concrete policy changes to pressure Israel into complying with humanitarian standards.
Legal experts have pointed out that if the interception of the Madleen occurred in international waters and involved no provocation or breach of international norms, it could amount to a violation of maritime law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) prohibits the boarding of civilian vessels in international waters without lawful justification, unless the vessel is engaged in piracy or unauthorised broadcasting, or there is evidence of slavery, arms trafficking, or other serious criminal activity.
So far, no such allegations have been made against the Madleen. It is believed the boat was carrying medical supplies, food parcels, and hygiene kits intended for civilians inside Gaza. The identities and nationalities of the volunteers on board have not been officially disclosed, although several advocacy groups have confirmed that British citizens are among them.
A spokesperson for the Free Gaza campaign, which helped organise the voyage, said, “This was a peaceful humanitarian mission, not a political provocation. These volunteers went out of compassion, not confrontation. The British government must do everything in its power to secure their release and ensure aid reaches the people who need it most.”
The interception has reignited debate in the UK about Britain’s role in the Middle East, particularly regarding arms exports to Israel and the UK’s position on Palestinian statehood. Earlier this year, the government resisted cross-party calls to suspend weapons licences to Israel, citing the need to maintain strategic alliances. However, with the humanitarian situation deteriorating and public sentiment shifting, the political pressure to reconsider that stance is mounting.
Meanwhile, families of those on board the Madleen are growing increasingly anxious, calling on the Foreign Office to provide regular updates and ensure the volunteers are treated in accordance with international law. One relative, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We are proud of what our loved ones were trying to do. But now we’re terrified. They deserve support, not silence.”
As diplomatic efforts continue behind closed doors, MPs like Afzal Khan are demanding that the UK take a stronger public stance — not just to secure the release of British citizens, but to reaffirm its commitment to humanitarian values in one of the world’s most protracted and tragic conflicts.
