From the Liveblog of
Monday, June 9, 2025
France says it told citizens not to sail on boat that tried to breach Gaza blockade, asks Israel to allow them consular access
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
France warned the six French citizens who were on the Madleen of the risks of trying to sail to Gaza, says French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
Paris has also been in touch with Israel about the flotilla in order to “prevent any incident” since learning of activists’ plans to sail to Gaza during the ongoing war, he continues.
Once the activists on board were intercepted by Israeli forces early this morning, France asked Israel to grant them consular protection. “Our consulate requested to visit them as soon as they arrived in Israeli territory, in order to verify their well-being and facilitate their rapid return to France,” says Barrot.
The ship is currently being taken to Ashdod port.
“France calls on the Israeli government to allow immediate, widespread and unhindered access to humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he concludes.
The Times of Israel Community.