Israeli minister warns Greta Thunberg to turn back as Freedom Flotilla approaches Gaza

Australia Broadcast Center

4 hours ago

Israel's defence minister has issued a personal warning to campaigner Greta Thunberg, saying the Gaza-bound aid ship she is currently sailing on should immediately turn around or face the Israeli military.
The Freedom Flotilla, an organisation seeking to break Israel's aid blockade of Gaza, is sailing the Madleen to the war-ravaged territory, carrying food and other supplies for the Palestinian population.
The vessel is currently in the Mediterranean Sea off the Egyptian coast, but Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday it should travel no further.
"I have instructed the IDF to act to prevent the Madleen hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza, and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end," Mr Katz posted on social media platform X, along with a photo flanked by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials.
"To the antisemitic Greta [Thunberg] and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: you should turn back — because you will not reach Gaza.
Ms Thunberg, who has rejected accusations she is antisemitic, replied soon after Mr Katz made his comments.
"As we are sailing closer to Gaza with Israel saying they will not allow the boat to arrive with humanitarian aid (which would be a crime by them), it's very important to keep in mind that this mission is not about us nor the boat," she posted on Instagram.
"This is about the genocide, blockade and systematic oppression of Palestinians.
"People in Gaza don't need anyone to come and save them, they need us to amplify and support their struggle for justice, that we end our complicity, put pressure and cut ties with those committing human rights violations. Keep all eyes on deck but above all, all eyes on Palestine and all oppressed people."
Last month, another ship chartered by the Freedom Flotilla was attacked by drones the group said were launched by Israel.
Some of the campaigners on board the British-flagged Madleen, which set sail from Italy last week, said Israeli forces were already trying to scramble their communications, including GPS signals.
Israel has used such technology repeatedly during the course of the war in Gaza.
"We just received some very weird news that according to our tracker we are no longer 162 nautical miles from Gaza, which is where we are, but according to him we are on Jordan airport," Brazilian activist Thiago Avila posted on Instagram.
"We know what that means, when they start jamming our communication, when they started messing with our devices, it means that they are preparing for an interception or an attack.
"And we all heard the Israeli media saying that they confirmed the unit S13 of IOF Special Forces, so they are preparing to commit a war crime, and we need to stop that."
Israel has repeatedly rejected allegations of war crimes in its conduct relating to the war in Gaza.
Israeli media has reported that the military plans to seize the ship and take it to the port of Ashdod, arresting and deporting the crew.
In 2010, the IDF boarded a Turkish ship leading a flotilla towards Gaza, and killed 10 people.
The IDF insists it is letting aid into the strip, and says 350 trucks carrying supplies were allowed to enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing last week.
But humanitarian agencies say that is far too few deliveries to make a difference, after the total humanitarian blockade of Gaza ran for 11 weeks and severely depleted supplies.
There have also been a series of shootings at aid distribution sites run by the private Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in recent days, which Palestinian health authorities and organisations such as the International Red Cross say have killed dozens and injured hundreds more.
Another four people were killed on Sunday, according to local medics.
GHF had suspended its operations twice in response to the deteriorating security situation near its sites, but resumed work on Sunday — and insisted it continued to deliver aid without incident.
"We are continuing to adapt and improve our operations to ensure the safety of the Palestinian people we aim to serve," GHF interim executive director John Acree said in a statement.
"Recently, we have started a women's and children-only lane to ensure they receive aid and today we piloted a direct-to-community delivery.
"Every day, we are looking to improve our operations and safely deliver aid to those who need it most."
Israel has accused Hamas of trying to undermine the new private aid model, alleging the militant group's fighters were responsible for the shootings.
But it has also conceded firing some shots at Palestinians near the sites, and is investigating the incidents.
Witnesses have said Israeli forces were responsible for the attacks, opening fire on desperate Palestinians as they scrambled to access aid.