Breaking the Blockade of Gaza
A member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan was detained by Israel in June after she joined the aid flotilla to Gaza. She told Jacobin about her experience — and why another aid mission is setting off this Sunday.
French-Palestinian lawyer and member of European Parliament for La France Insoumise Rima Hassan takes part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration called by several French unions at the Place de la République in Paris on June 14, 2025. (Thomas Samson / AFP via Getty Images)
On Sunday, the next aid mission led by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition will set sail for Gaza, with another boat full of food and essential supplies destined for the besieged territory.
It will be the first ship attempting to break Israel’s blockade since the Madleen was seized by Israeli authorities on June 9. Among its crew of twelve were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament (MEP) Rima Hassan.
Hassan had been elected last summer on a France Insoumise ticket, and has been one of France’s loudest voices calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. This has also guaranteed her a barrage of negative attention from the French political establishment, including legal attacks.
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