Tens of thousands of people rallied across France on Monday in support of activists on a boat bound for Gaza that has been intercepted by Israeli authorities. President Emmanuel Macron has called for the swiftest possible return of the six French nationals aboard.

Demonstrators waving Palestinian flags, holding banners, and chanting slogans such as Free Palestine and Gaza, Gaza, we are with you, gathered in major French cities including Paris, Marseille, Lille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg and Nice, demanding the release of the 12 activists aboard the sailing vessel Madleen and the continuation of their humanitarian mission.

Swedish climate activistGreta Thunbergand French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan of the hard-leftFrance Unbowedparty (LFI) are among those aboard.

LFI, which called for the rallies, claimed 150,000 demonstrators nationwide, including 50,000 inParisand reported nearly 200 gatherings across the country. National police recorded 24,700 participants in 97 rallies outside the capital and 8,000 in Paris.

A dozen activists French, German, Brazilian, Turkish, Swedish, Spanish, and Dutch nationals left Italy aboard the Madleen on 1 June to raise awareness of food shortages inGaza, which the United Nations has called the "hungriest place on Earth".

After 21 months of war, the UN warns the entire 2-million population is at risk of famine.

The boat, which is carrying humanitarian aid, wasintercepted overnightfrom Sunday to Monday by the Israeli military and arrived Monday evening at the Israeli port of Ashdod.

UN experts warn of 'annihilation' in Gaza amid Israeli strikes

'Act of piracy'

Israels foreign ministry stated that the passengers are expected to be repatriated, and released images showing them wearing life jackets and receiving sandwiches and water.

They were expected to be held at a detention facility in Ramle before being deported, according to Adalah, a legal rights group representing them.

Speaking at the Paris rally alongside other left-wing leaders, LFI figurehead Jean-Luc Mlenchon called the Israeli operation an act of international piracy".

We fear the worst, because those who carried out this interception have shown themselves capable of the worst under any circumstances, said the former French presidential candidate, addressing the press before joining the thousands gathered in the square.

He criticised the French governments response, saying it apparently has nothing to say about an act of piracy. Mlenchon also called for a new mass mobilisation of the French people in support of Palestinians on 13 June.

RFI joins 135 NGOs and media groups in urging unrestricted press access to Gaza

Consular Protection

French MEP Rima Hassan, who is of Palestinian descent, is one of six French nationals who were onboard the boat.

She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians.

PresidentEmmanuel Macronhas requested that the French nationals be allowed to return to France as quickly as possible, the Elyse said.

Later that evening, Macron stated that France remained vigilant and stands by all its citizens when they are in danger, adding that Paris had conveyed all necessary messages to Israel to ensure the activists' protection.

He also condemned the humanitarian blockade on Gaza. "This is a scandal, unacceptable, that is playing out in Gaza. What's been happening since early March is a disgrace," he said.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot said: From the moment the vessel was intercepted, we requested to provide consular protection for our citizens".

French left-wing parties and groups such as Amnesty International argue the boats interception constituted aviolation of international law.

(with newswires)

Originally published on RFI