Greta Thunberg Flotilla: Gaza Aid Ship Docks in Israel
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza Aid Flotilla; Greta Thunberg Aboard
Israeli forces intercepted a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza,towing it to the port of Ashdod. The vessel, named madleen, was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).
The ship carried supplies such as rice, flour, and baby formula. Aboard were 12 crew members, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French Member of the European Parliament.
The FFC reported that the Israeli military stopped and boarded the ship in international waters early monday. The organization, founded in 2010, describes itself as a grassroots movement aiming to end the Israeli blockade of Gaza through non-violent means.
Huwaida Arraf, the FFC’s human rights attorney, stated that the seizure violates international law and defies orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.
Footage shared by the FFC appeared to show Israeli personnel intercepting the vessel. Voices can be heard instructing the crew to put their phones “in the water.”
Israel dismissed the ship as a “selfie yacht,” stating that the “tiny amount” of aid aboard would be distributed in Gaza. The government confirmed that the ship had been escorted to Ashdod and that the crew would be safely returned to their home countries.
The government added that 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza in recent weeks. The U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has distributed 11 million meals in the territory since late May.
The GHF has faced criticism from the United Nations and other aid organizations, who accuse it of “weaponizing aid.” Concerns have grown following fatal shootings of Palestinians near distribution hubs.
Greta Thunberg said as the ship departed: “The world cannot be silent bystanders, every single one of us has a moral obligation to do everything we can to fight for a free Palestine.”
Other passengers included:
- Rima Hassan, a French politician.
- Thiago Avila, who leads FFC Brazil.
- Baptiste André, Omar Faiad, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi and Reva Viard, all French nationals.
- Yasemin Acar, an activist from Germany.
- Şuayb Army, an activist from Turkey.
- Sergio Toribio, an activist from Spain.
- Marco van Rennes, an activist from the Netherlands.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the interception of the “selfie yacht” and stated that the crew would be returned home. The ministry also released a video showing the crew being given water and sandwiches, stating they were safe.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said he instructed the IDF to show the crew a video of the Oct. 7 attacks.
The government has not yet commented on allegations that the seizure violates international law.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France offered to assist in the “swift return” of the French nationals. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged the situation to be resolved “safely with restraint, in line with international humanitarian law.”
Francesca albanese, a Special rapporteur