ADVERTISEMENTEarly on Monday morning, Israeli forces intercepted and seized a boat called the Madleen, which was heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid in what activists said was a protest against Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
A group of activists, including Greta Thunberg, will be returned to their home countries after the Gaza-bound boat they were travelling on was seized, Israeli authorities said.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying in a post on X that “the ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel.”
Thunberg shared news of the campaign in a video update on 2 June that saw her wear a Fontaines D.C. charity jerseyand raise awareness for the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ trip, with the boat departing from Italy.
The group has claimed that authorities had “forcibly intercepted” the boat and acted with “total impunity.”
Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser, shared: “Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalised for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade – their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”
Thunberg accused Israel of “kidnapping” her and reached out for global support. In a statement, she said: “I urge all my friends, family, and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible”.
The entertainment world has responded to the interception of the boat.
Legendary rock band Garbage reshared a post that called for “the release of all involved immediately,” and before posting an update with the caption: “All eyes on the @gazafreedomflotilla . Let aid in. What is happening to the Palestinians is monstrous. How many more dead children do we have to see before the world acts?!?”
Singer-songwriter Cat Power shared an update on Instagram pushing for the release of Thunberg and the activists. “We demand the immediate release of all 12 hostages taken by Israel in violation of international law,” the singer shared in the caption, before listing out the names of those who were onboard the Madleen. “THE WORLD MUST ACT NOW. THIS IS A CRISIS.”
Norwegian singer Aurora shared an update that claimed the Israeli government offered Thunberg the option to “attack, arrest, or turn back”, while Irish rap group Kneecap shared an earlier update that said: “Solidarity with Liam Cunningham (Game Of Thrones actor) and all on the ‘freedom flotilla’ to Gaza”.
British singer-songwriter Nadine Shah also shared a video made by an activist on the Madleen, which said: “This is not the world you want to leave behind to your children. When you look into the faces of your children, know there are children in Gaza, the same age, and they have the same rights. They have the right to live in dignity, they have the right to live free. They have the right to just live. Do everything in your power, keep your eyes on us and remember why we are here. You need to do the real work, and that is to stop your government from sending weapons to Israel to commit these war crimes and atrocities.”
Bambie Thug, last year’s Eurovision entry for Ireland, also reposted an update that read: “We demand that Madleen is allowed to land safely and peacefully in Gaza with all activists unharmed”, while author Matt Haig shared the following regarding Greta Thunberg and the criticism aimed at the young activist: “Like her. Don’t like her. But she is the opposite of ‘performative’. She is literally heading into a genocide with a target on her back.”
After an almost three-month blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month. Humanitarian workers and experts say it is not enough and have warned of famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive.
An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta, organisers said.
The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.
