Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jun 9: Israel's foreign ministry on Monday lashed out at a Gaza-bound yacht carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other international campaigners, calling it a ‘media gimmick’ masked as a humanitarian mission.
The yacht Madleen, which set sail from Sicily on June 1, is carrying 11 activists, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian origin. Their stated goal is to break Israel's naval blockade and deliver what they call symbolic humanitarian aid to Gaza. The vessel is part of a mission launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to spotlight the deepening humanitarian crisis in the besieged coastal territory.
However, Israel has strongly condemned the mission. “The maritime zone off Gaza’s coast is closed to unauthorized vessels under a legal naval blockade, consistent with international law,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X, formerly Twitter. “This yacht is not delivering meaningful aid. It is a publicity stunt – a ‘selfie yacht’ carrying less than a truckload of supplies,” it added.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant directed the military to intercept the vessel. “I have instructed the IDF to act so that the hate flotilla does not reach the shores of Gaza and to take all necessary measures to that end,” he said.
In a harshly worded statement, Gallant called out Thunberg and others on board. “To the antisemitic Greta and her friends who echo Hamas propaganda, I say clearly: You’d better turn back – because you will not reach Gaza,” he said.
According to a video released on the yacht’s Telegram channel, the Israeli navy intercepted and boarded the vessel. Activists were seen donning life jackets in anticipation of confrontation.
Despite the resistance, Thunberg stood by her mission. “We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying. The moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity,” she said before departure.
Israel insists that adequate aid is already reaching Gaza through official channels. “Over the past two weeks, more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed nearly 11 million meals directly to civilians,” the foreign ministry stated.
Yet critics, including human rights groups, argue that the current aid system is falling short. According to The Guardian, over 110 Palestinians have reportedly died while trying to access food since May 27, with thousands more injured.
As global attention intensifies on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the clash between international activism and Israeli security policy continues to escalate.