In a sea of images, numbers, and political statements, a simple gesture—a small boat—can speak louder than a thousand words. The Madleen, named after Gaza’s first and only female fisherwoman, quietly sails across the Mediterranean carrying a powerful message of solidarity.
Madleen Kulab: A Woman of the Sea
Madleen Kulab (also spelled “Kolab,” or “Culab”) has been Gaza’s only professional female fisher since her teens. Fishing since age 13 alongside her father, she relied on the sea for her family’s survival. Today, she is a mother to four and a symbol of resilience.
Before the recent war, Kulab fished weekly, ran a popular seafood business, and dreamed of designing clothes. But in November 2023, her father was martyred in an air strike. Her boat and fishing gear were destroyed by Israeli forces. Nine months pregnant, she fled Gaza, gave birth under dire conditions, and returned to a devastated home.
A Vessel Named in Her Honor
On 1 June 2025, the sailboat Madleen, named in her honor, departed from Catania, Sicily — carrying humanitarian supplies and a crew of 12 international activists. Kulab said she was “deeply moved,” feeling a sense of responsibility and pride — calling it “the highest form of humanity”.
A Symbolic Crew on a Real Mission
The Madleen is crewed by 12 activists, men and women, young and old, aiming to break the silence and challenge Gaza’s blockade:
- Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist
- Rima Hassan, French-Palestinian MEP
- Tiago Ávila, Brazilian climate and social justice activist
- Plus human rights advocates from Germany, Brazil, Turkey, the Netherlands, Spain, and more.
Liam Cunningham, the Irish actor known for his role in Game of Thrones, has since joined the campaign.
Israel has officially warned that the vessel will not be allowed to enter Gaza’s waters.
Destination: Gaza — Cargo: Humanity
Though not a large cargo ship, the Madleen carries essential items:
- Flour, baby formula, diapers, medicine
- Water desalination kits, crutches, prosthetics.
These basics are the stuff we take for granted—but in Gaza, they are matters of dignity and survival.
For the mothers in Gaza who lull their children to sleep with empty hands, for the fathers searching through rubble for insulin, and for the child who knows war more intimately than play.
Why This Matters
No single boat can break a blockade—but it can break the silence. In a world numbed by daily war headlines, the Madleen refocuses our attention on humanity. It shows that even from thousands of kilometres away, people still carry others’ pain in their hearts.
Women at the Helm of Real-Life Solidarity
Many onboard are women who have known war personally—mothers, sisters, survivors. Their presence isn’t for show or rhetoric—it’s a quiet testament to empathy, understanding, and shared grief—and that is what this mission truly represents.
One Final Message from the Heart of the Sea
The Madleen delivers more than food and medicine. It carries a reminder: some still care deeply about others’ suffering—even from afar. And in today’s fractured world, that compassion may be our most urgent need.