We received a lot of support for our solidarity post on Instagram from June 5th, but also some critical feedback. We take this seriously and would like to explain below why we decided to publish this content – and how we reflect on it now. We, too, had internal discussions within the association after publishing this post and are continuing to engage in dialogue about it. As an association, we are not a homogenous group, but rather people with diverse views and no single opinion on Israel/Palestine. There are also critical voices regarding this post among our association members.
HOW DID THIS POSTING COME ABOUT?
Our working reality is that most of us work on a voluntary basis – and not everyone can read, comment, contribute, and approve everything at any time 24/7. Unfortunately, the ideal of and our strive for democratic decision-making processes, sometimes lag painfully behind the day-to-day implementation and working reality.
In this case, the post was proposed internally within the association, a text was drafted, and then put up for discussion for several hours. During this time frame, the majority of those who were able to comment and commented supported the proposed post. It was then published. Only afterward did it become clear that members of the association who were critical of the post and whose feedback would have been valuable had unfortunately not had the chance to contribute in time. We regret this and will use it as a lesson for future processes.
WHAT WAS OUR CONTENT MENT TO FOCUS ON?
We deliberately focused the text on the humanitarian purpose of the Madleen Crew’s mission, which we saw as bringing media attention and relief supplies to Gaza. At a time when the civilian population in Gaza, suffering and facing genocide, received none of those.
With our post, we wanted to express our solidarity with this humanitarian and symbolic project, as we feel close to this cause as civilian sea rescuers. We, too, try to provide aid and generate public attention where rarely, if ever, anyone looks. We, too—like the entire civl sea rescue scene—repeatedly experience how quickly humanitarian aid workers are questioned, criticized, or even criminalized in public opinion—and thus those who want to help become the focus of attention, instead of those who cause unimaginable suffering through political decisions and actions. We would like to see the same critical attention and the same volume directed at those state forces and rulers who commit war crimes and crimes against humanity—at the EU’s external borders as well as in Gaza. Every life counts. No one is illegal.
With our post, we wanted to express our full solidarity with the humanitarian cause of ending the suffering of the people in Gaza and to demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Gaza. In doing so, we failed to make it clear in this post that there are serious allegations against some of the crew members of the Madleen, as well as against the founders and members of Freedom Flotilla.
We distance ourselves from the actions of some individuals. We speak out unequivocally against any form of anti-Semitism and terrorism. We have NEVER and will NEVER express support for Hamas or Hezbollah, and we condemn doing so. As an organization, we stand for humanitarian aid, solidarity, and the protection of life. And also for calling injustice by its name, no matter where it occurs or whoever perpetrates it.
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE MADLEEN CREW OF HANDING PEOPLE OVER TO FRONTEX
One criticism we’ve heard frequently is that the Madleen crew handed over refugees to Frontex. We must clearly refute this and ask everyone to fully inform themselves before accusing us, as Sea Punks, of uncritically supporting or ignoring this. This is an unspeakable accusation for an organization in which people have been busting their asses every day for years to make civilian sea rescue possible.
It’s not true that refugees were voluntarily handed over to Frontex! Anyone who repeats this is spreading false information. The crew of the Madleen was intercepted. These are two completely different things.
On its way to Gaza, the Madleen initially responded to a Mayday call from Frontex about a boat in distress with people on board – this complies with applicable maritime law! We, as Sea Punk I, would also be required to respond to a maritime distress reported by Frontex in such a case! Frontex requested the Madleen to approach this maritime distress, as the Madleen was the closest to it. As the Madleen arrived, the Libyan coast guard arrived at the same time. Four people on the move then jumped into the water and were taken on board by the Madleen. The rest were illegally pushed back by the Libyan coast guard. The four refugees remaining on the Madleen were cared for by the Madleen’s crew. The Madleen initially tried to negotiate with the Greek authorities about accepting the migrants, but was intercepted by Frontex itself and ordered to hand over the four rescued people. They were also obligated to do this under maritime law. The Madleen rescued these four people. The Libyan coast guard and Frontex are the problem here.
Our post was about the Madleen’s humanitarian action, but the unconditional expression of solidarity with the crew failed.
It is rulers and states who are sending bombs.
It is civilians who pay with their lives.
People don’t let people drown.
People don’t let people starve.
People don’t let people be bombed.
In solidarity with the civilian population in Gaza. In Israel. In Iran.
Sea Punks