The political group, 'The Left in the European Parliament', called for the release of the MEP detained by Israeli authorities on Monday while aboard a Gaza-bound aid boat.
French MEP Rima Hassan was one of the twelve crew members of 'Madleen', which was operated by the pro-Palestine solidarity group Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). The vessel aimed to break Israel's naval blockade, deliver aid, and raise awareness for the humanitarian impact of the violence in Gaza.
Israel's war in Gaza was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which saw around 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage.
Currently, at least 56 hostages remain in Gaza – of whom around 20 are believed to be alive. Meanwhile, more than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's military campaign, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The toll does not differentiate between civilians and Hamas fighters.
Hassan was detained on Monday after Israeli authorities intercepted the vessel. "The crew was arrested in international waters," reads a post on Hassan's official X account from Monday.
According to FFC, the detained crew were taken to Israel and after around 24 hours without contact, lawyers were able to meet with ten of the 12 members of Madleen.
An initial hearing alleged that the crew entered Israeli territory illegally, according to The Left. The FFC rejects Israel's claim, stating that the group was "forcibly abducted from international waters and brought into Israel against their will."
Each FFC volunteer was reportedly given the option to sign a document to consent to deportation and acknowledge the alleged illegal entry into Israel.
The FFC confirmed on Tuesday that four of the 12 people detained have been deported, including Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg. Hassan is among the other eight who did not sign the document and will remain in custody. They are set to appear before a tribunal, according to FFC.
In a press release, The Left called the imprisonment of the French MEP a 'dark precedent' and urged European institutions to better protect elected representatives.
"Israel is obligated to ensure that basic services and humanitarian aid reach Gaza. The prevention of that is a direct breach of international law and in the case of Rima Hassan, her arrest and detention also constitutes a violation of parliamentary immunity," it read.
In addition to Hassan's immediate release, The Left called for the "suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and an arms embargo on the State of Israel."
It further urged European institutions to end the Israeli blockade and to "put an end to the carnage" in Gaza.
