Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg on board arrives in Israel after seizure
The boat, accompanied by Israel's navy, arrived in Ashdod in the evening, according to Israel's Foreign Ministry.
It published a photo on social media of Ms Thunberg after disembarking.
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The 12 activists were undergoing medical checks to ensure they are in good health, the ministry said.
They were expected to be held at a detention facility in Ramle before being deported, according to Adalah, a legal rights group representing them.
The activists had set out to protest against Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which is among the deadliest and most destructive since the Second World War, and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid.
Senator Lynn Ruane, actor Liam Cunningham and activist Caoimhe Butterly were among those who waved off the Madleen Freedom Flotilla before it set sail for Gaza.
Senator Ruane said: 'Due to the fact the last Flotilla – Conscience – was attacked in international waters the general feeling was if they were going to take sail it was highly likely that there would be an interception this time round two."
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the voyage, said the activists were "kidnapped by Israeli forces" while trying to deliver desperately needed aid.
"The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies - confiscated," it said in a statement.
It said the ship was seized in international waters about 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Gaza, and Adalah asserted that Israel had "no legal authority" to take it over.
This evening Ms Butterly, who is a member of the land co-ordination team of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, has called for more action.
She said: 'We have received so many messages from you from across the world expressing support, solidarity, love and concern and asking what you can do. More than anything at this point, as well as focusing on the well-being and the eventual release of all of those who are now detained, the need is to focus on Gaza.
'We need to sail those winds and those seas, those waves of solidarity that have been so beautifully present as a beacon of hope over the past ten days onwards into Gaza and that means action – more ships, more organising, more mobilising. We need people behind the scenes, all of these missions including this one took months almost a year to prepare for one ship alone.'
Senator Ruane added: 'Everything that the Flotilla stands for is something people get behind and support, the fact that there is no aid is reaching into Gaza, they knew at some point the Israeli authorities would want to intercept them and it's an illegal interception.
'The Freedom Flotilla has various different countries that have organising committees, you can see them on the boat – there are several different nationalities. There's a huge level of co-ordination involved and there have been Irish people involved in the coordination over the years.'
Before the Flotilla set sail Ms Butterly shared a photo of herself with Greta Thunberg who was spotted wearing a Bohemians x Fontaines DC jersey.
Lyrics from the band's latest album along with the words 'Saoirse don Phalaistín', which in Irish means 'Free Palestine' are emblazoned on the top.
The shirt was designed by guitarist Carlos O'Connell, with 30pc of profits going to Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Israel's Foreign Ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying on social media that "the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel".
It said the activists would return to their home countries and the aid would be sent to Gaza through established channels.
It circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing life vests.
Israeli officials said the flotilla carried what amounted to less than a truckload of aid.
"This wasn't humanitarian aid. It's Instagram activism," Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said.
In a statement this afternoon, Tánaiste Simon Harris said the Madleen was 'an effort to get food and medicine to the starving people of Gaza; an unarmed civilian effort in the midst of devastation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions'.
He added: "But it was much more than that; it was a powerful symbol of the urgent and essential need to end the blockade on humanitarian aid.'
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The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Greta Thunberg arrives on dry land & ‘will be deported' after Israel seized ‘Freedom Flotilla' stunt ship & twisted crew
GRETA Thunberg has arrived on dry land and is to likely be deported after Israel seized the "Freedom Flotilla" stunt ship. The climate campaigner, 22, alongside 11 other activists on board, is expected to appear in court on Tuesday morning having been 10 Greta Thunberg has arrived on dry land Credit: IsraelMFA 10 Greta Thunberg posted on social media that she had been kidnapped by the Israeli military Credit: Instagram 10 A photo posted on Telegram purportedly showing activists with their hands up on board the Madleen Credit: Freedom Flotilla Coalition Israel's Foreign Ministry confirmed on X: "The 'Selfie Yacht' docked at Ashdod Port a short while ago. "The passengers are currently undergoing medical examinations to ensure they are in good health." But lawyer Nariman Shehade Zoabi said they haven't been able to contact the activists yet. She told Expressen: "We demand information about the whereabouts of our clients and the right to meet them." Lawyer Zoabi added that Greta and the others would be taken to a "Givon prison" near the town Ramle where "illegal immigrants are detained" and there is a "court that can quickly decide on deportation". She is waiting in Ashdod with five others, and explained that the process of deportation could be fast. Zoabi said: "Israel has no interest in detaining them and they themselves do not want to stay in the country." Israel accused the group who were aboard the boat of Most read in The US Sun And all of those detained will be made to watch a screening of video footage showing innocents including children being slaughter by Hamas savages during the attacks. The 'selfie yacht' operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition was said to be "safely making its way to the shores of Israel", Israel's Foreign Minsitry said. Israel issues warning to Greta's 'Freedom Flotilla' as eco-pest SAILS to Gaza All passengers were safe and unharmed and activists handed sandwiches and water before the vessel docked at the southern Israeli port of Ashdod. The boat was carrying a "tiny amount of aid" on board - which will be sent to Gaza. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said that he has instructed the Israeli Defence Forces to screen footage of the 7 October attacks as soon as they arrive. The disturbing footage - titled "Bearing Witness" - shows innocent people being massacred and mutilated. And all the footage was taken from the Hamas terrorists' bodycams as they filmed their massacre. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said early on Monday that Israeli forces had boarded the charity vessel. Shortly before the FFC statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted a video on X showing the Israeli Navy communicating with the Madleen over a loudspeaker, urging it to change course. "The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to naval traffic as part of a legal naval blockade," a soldier said. 10 Greta Thunberg is offered a sandwich by an Israeli soldier 10 The Madleen began its journey to deliver aid to Gaza last Sunday but could be facing Israeli fury upon its arrival 10 Thunberg sits aboard the aid ship Madleen, which left the Italian port of Catania on June 1 to travel to Gaza Credit: Reuters 10 Gaza has been hammered by the IDF as it aims to wipe out Hamas Credit: Getty "If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you are able to do so through the (Israeli) port of Ashdod." The campaigners had said they are hoping to 'break the siege' and raise 'international awareness' of the humanitarian crisis on the But Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant issued a warning as the vessel entered the final stretch of its journey, saying: 'You should turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.' Thunberg, 22, has posted on social media with a Palestine flag and wearing a keffiyeh scarf while on the journey. Travelling alongside her is Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament of Palestinian descent. She has previously been barred from entering Israel due to her outspoken criticism of the country's policies towards Palestinians. Organisers claim the voyage is 'a non-violent, direct action to challenge Israel's illegal siege" - and is carrying essential supplies to a population at risk of famine. Israel imposed a near-total blockade on Gaza in late 2023, following Hamas's horror massacre on southern Israel on October 7. Though some limited aid has been allowed in since last month, aid agencies claim it is nowhere near enough. Ahead of the journey, Thunberg said through tears: "We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying. "Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity." CONTROVERSIAL CREW The flotilla's latest voyage follows a failed attempt in May, when another of its vessels was struck by two drones in international waters off Malta. The group accused Israel of being behind the attack. Despite the risks, activists aboard the Madleen have said they plan to enter Gaza's territorial waters as early as Sunday. The Brazilian activist Thiago Avila attended the funeral of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, calling the terrorist a "beloved" leader and a "martyr". 10 Thunberg with part of the crew of the ship headed to the Strip Credit: Getty 10 Thiago Ávila (L) hailed the former leader of terrorist group Hezbollah 10 Yasemin Acar is among the extremist crew Avila said he was "very honoured" and "very happy" to attend, and described the funeral as something that "amazed him". He wrote that Nasrallah was an "important figure" who "inspired people all over the world". Also on board was Yasemin Acar from Berlin, who reportedly danced as Iranian rockets rained down on Israel and once told a white woman at a protest: 'You're a white person, you shouldn't tell us what to do.' French journalist Omar Faiad, of Al-Jazeera, sparked outrage for comparing the IDF to Nazis. On X, he wrote: 'The Israeli army resembles the Nazi army,' and claimed: 'Israel is committing a new Holocaust in Gaza.' Rima Hassan, meanwhile, previously tweeted: 'Kfir, Ariel, and Shiri Bibas were killed by an Israeli attack,' despite Hamas being responsible for their abduction and deaths. She was also seen at a protest where demonstrators chanted: 'We die for jihad.' And it included included a London-based Palestinian named in Parliament in 2023 as being a London-based Hamas operative. Zaher Birawi was at the launch of the Madleen and live streamed from the dock in Greece and is chair of the International Committee to Break the siege of Gaza. Read more on the Irish Sun Birawi, 62, has been photographed with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and runs UK-registered charity, Education Aid for Palestinians, which has raised more than £3 million since 2017. Irish Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham was also on the boat. Who was on board the "Freedom Flotilla"? Greta Thunberg - Swedish climate activist Rima Hassan – French-Palestinian MEP Yasemin Acar – German activist Thiago Avila – Brazilian activist Omar Faiad – French journalist Pascal Maurieras – French activist Yanis Mhamdi – French reporter Suayb Ordu – Turkish activist Sergio Toribio – Spanish activist Marco van Rennes – Dutch activist Reva Viard – French activist Liam Cunningham - Irish Game of Thrones actor Baptiste Andre - French Physician
Irish Examiner
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Academics at 11 universities call for trade freeze with Israel over 'well-televised' genocide
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Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg on board arrives in Israel after seizure
The boat, accompanied by Israel's navy, arrived in Ashdod in the evening, according to Israel's Foreign Ministry. It published a photo on social media of Ms Thunberg after disembarking. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The 12 activists were undergoing medical checks to ensure they are in good health, the ministry said. They were expected to be held at a detention facility in Ramle before being deported, according to Adalah, a legal rights group representing them. The activists had set out to protest against Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which is among the deadliest and most destructive since the Second World War, and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid. Senator Lynn Ruane, actor Liam Cunningham and activist Caoimhe Butterly were among those who waved off the Madleen Freedom Flotilla before it set sail for Gaza. Senator Ruane said: 'Due to the fact the last Flotilla – Conscience – was attacked in international waters the general feeling was if they were going to take sail it was highly likely that there would be an interception this time round two." The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the voyage, said the activists were "kidnapped by Israeli forces" while trying to deliver desperately needed aid. "The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies - confiscated," it said in a statement. It said the ship was seized in international waters about 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Gaza, and Adalah asserted that Israel had "no legal authority" to take it over. This evening Ms Butterly, who is a member of the land co-ordination team of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, has called for more action. She said: 'We have received so many messages from you from across the world expressing support, solidarity, love and concern and asking what you can do. More than anything at this point, as well as focusing on the well-being and the eventual release of all of those who are now detained, the need is to focus on Gaza. 'We need to sail those winds and those seas, those waves of solidarity that have been so beautifully present as a beacon of hope over the past ten days onwards into Gaza and that means action – more ships, more organising, more mobilising. We need people behind the scenes, all of these missions including this one took months almost a year to prepare for one ship alone.' Senator Ruane added: 'Everything that the Flotilla stands for is something people get behind and support, the fact that there is no aid is reaching into Gaza, they knew at some point the Israeli authorities would want to intercept them and it's an illegal interception. 'The Freedom Flotilla has various different countries that have organising committees, you can see them on the boat – there are several different nationalities. There's a huge level of co-ordination involved and there have been Irish people involved in the coordination over the years.' Before the Flotilla set sail Ms Butterly shared a photo of herself with Greta Thunberg who was spotted wearing a Bohemians x Fontaines DC jersey. Lyrics from the band's latest album along with the words 'Saoirse don Phalaistín', which in Irish means 'Free Palestine' are emblazoned on the top. The shirt was designed by guitarist Carlos O'Connell, with 30pc of profits going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. Israel's Foreign Ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying on social media that "the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel". It said the activists would return to their home countries and the aid would be sent to Gaza through established channels. It circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing life vests. Israeli officials said the flotilla carried what amounted to less than a truckload of aid. "This wasn't humanitarian aid. It's Instagram activism," Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said. In a statement this afternoon, Tánaiste Simon Harris said the Madleen was 'an effort to get food and medicine to the starving people of Gaza; an unarmed civilian effort in the midst of devastation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions'. He added: "But it was much more than that; it was a powerful symbol of the urgent and essential need to end the blockade on humanitarian aid.'
