European Parliament in contact with Israel over MEP Hassan's safety

BRUSSELS

The European Parliament said on Tuesday that it is in contact with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of French lawmaker Rima Hassan, who was aboard the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid vessel Madleen recently seized by Israeli forces.

"The protection and wellbeing of MEPs, anywhere in the world, will always be the utmost priority for the European Parliament," spokesperson Delphine Colard said in a statement to Anadolu.

She confirmed that Parliament President Roberta Metsola has been in constant communication with Israeli officials and leaders of political groups in the European Parliament to ensure the safety and security of Hassan.

The parliament stressed that its members "must be kept safe and treated with respect as elected representatives of the European people, wherever they are."

Colard added that the parliament remains in round-the-clock contact with all parties until the situation is safely resolved.

Madleen was seized by Israeli naval forces on Sunday while sailing in international waters and redirected to the port of Ashdod.

Part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the aid ship had a 12-strong crew on board, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.

Other activists aboard the Madleen included Yasemin Acar from Germany; Baptiste Andre, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi and Reva Viard from France; Thiago Avila from Brazil, Suayb Ordu from Türkiye, Sergio Toribio from Spain, Marco van Rennes from the Netherlands and Omar Faiad, a journalist with Al Jazeera Mubasher, also from France.