Two Northern Ireland MPs have called for urgent action from the UK government following the interception of 'The Madleen', a British-flagged vessel carrying symbolic humanitarian aid to Gaza, by Israeli military forces. Both SDLP's Colum Eastwood and Alliance's Sorcha Eastwood have written to senior UK government figures, stressing the need to protect the vessel and its crew and to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Colum Eastwood MP (SDLP) contacted British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday morning, reminding him of the UK's obligations under international law to protect 'The Madleen' and its crew. Mr Eastwood warned that failure to "fundamentally change their approach to the genocide unfolding in Gaza" risks "watching an entire people being extinguished," a situation he believes would leave "an indelible stain on the soul of western nations."

Mr Eastwood praised the crew of 'The Madleen': "The crew of The Madleen represent the best of us. Regardless of who they are or their international profile, these are people who have risked their lives to breach Israel’s unlawful blockade on humanitarian aid reaching Gaza." He expressed concern over "conflicting details about the vessel’s whereabouts and the detention of the crew." He further underscored the broader issue at hand, condemning "the genocide that Israel continues to inflict on the civilian population in Gaza, the use of starvation as a weapon of war and the clear war crimes that Palestinians are being subjected to every day." Mr Eastwood called for governments to "wake up, intervene and put an end to what is quickly become the extinction of a people before our eyes." He reiterated his demand for the British Government to "directly sanction senior officials in the Netanyahu regime, to stop the sale and transfer of arms to Israel and to use this as the moment to change their approach to the genocide."

Separately, Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood also wrote to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, seeking urgent action for the immediate release of all those detained on 'The Madleen'. The Lagan Valley MP described the interception as "an utter disregard for international law and basic human decency."

Ms Eastwood highlighted that the vessel was "a UK-flagged vessel carrying aid – food, medical supplies, and baby formula – to a civilian population facing forced starvation under an illegal siege." She asserted that "The Madleen and its crew posed no threat to Israel, and Israel has no legal authority to intercept the vessel or detain its crew."

Referencing the International Court of Justice, Ms Eastwood stated: "The International Court of Justice has issued binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. We cannot stand by while aid is blocked, stolen, or used as leverage." She urged the UK government to "secure the immediate release of the Madleen’s crew, upholding the UK’s responsibility to defend its citizens and vessels under international law, and also to bring an end to the inhumane blockade, so desperately-needed humanitarian aid can reach Gaza without delay."