Israel has directed its military to prevent the Madleen, an aid vessel carrying 12 activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, from reaching Gaza.
The ship, which departed Sicily on June 1, carries essential supplies such as baby formula, medical equipment, and children’s prosthetics for Palestinians enduring an 18-year blockade.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the activists as “anti-Semitic” and stated, “I have instructed the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza.”
He further warned, “You should turn back because you will not reach Gaza.”
On board, Thunberg condemned global inaction, telling Middle East Eye:
We cannot sit by and allow this to happen. We are watching… a genocide happening, following decades and decades of systematic oppression, ethnic cleansing, occupation.
Greta Thunberg.
French activist Baptiste Andre reported drones monitoring the vessel, noting, “The ship is carrying a tonne of medical aid, which is a symbolic amount.”
Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, emphasizing visibility as their primary defense, said, “The best security measure we have is visibility. It is you sharing, you pressuring your nation states.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, organizing the mission, has faced repeated Israeli interceptions, including a deadly 2010 attack on the Mavi Marmara that killed ten activists.
Palestinians in Gaza are closely following the Madleen’s progress, with crowds gathering to watch Al Jazeera broadcasts, as reported by Drop Site News: “We are watching you in Gaza. We do not turn off the screen.”
French MEP Rima Hassan, aboard the vessel, indicated the ship is on its “final approach,” anticipating interception by Israeli forces, possibly involving a missile boat and commandos.
Israel, which imposed a total aid blockade for 11 weeks before allowing limited UN deliveries, remains firm.
Katz declared, “Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organisations, by sea, air, or land.”