Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid ship with Greta Thunberg on board

The National

4 hours ago

Israel has boarded and taken command of a Gaza-bound aid ship carrying 12 activists, including Greta Thunberg.
The country's Foreign Ministry said the yacht was now "safely making its way to the shores of Israel".
It is carrying a small amount of humanitarian aid, including rice, baby formula and medical supplies, in a symbolic voyage in protest at Israel's blockade of Gaza. Crew members say they are unarmed civilians who pose no threat.
"The 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries," Israel's Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
All passengers were safe and unharmed, the ministry added. "They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over."
Organisers said on Monday afternoon they have no contact with the 12 crew members on board, and do not know their whereabouts. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said lawyers had "repeatedly contacted Israeli military officials" but received no response since the early hours of the morning.
"According to the Israeli Immigration Authority, they are not yet in custody," a statement said. Israel said the yacht was still on its way to shore.
The Foreign Ministry said the humanitarian aid on board would be taken to Gaza. "The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels," it wrote.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had ordered the military on Sunday to prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort in support of Hamas.
Gaza Freedom Flotilla, the activist group operating the vessel, posted on Telegram on Sunday night that it had been intercepted. "Connection has been lost on the Madleen," it wrote. "Israeli army have boarded the vessel."
Mr Katz said he instructed the military to show the activists videos from the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel carried out by Hamas. "It is appropriate that the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly who the Hamas terrorist organisation is they came to support and for whom they are working," he said.
The yacht Madleen is named after a Gazan fisherwoman, according to the activist organisation, which says the flotilla is "carrying a cargo of hope and humanitarian aid".
Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, said she had lost contact with the vessel.
'I heard the soldiers speaking while the captain was on the phone with me,' she posted on X. 'I lost connection with the captain as he was telling me that 'another boat is approaching'.'
The vessel was carrying several Turkish citizens, including Suayb Ordu, an activist who has been involved in Palestine advocacy for years. Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel's intervention was a "clear violation of international law".
"This heinous act by the [Benjamin] Netanyahu government, which threatens freedom of navigation and maritime security, once again demonstrates that Israel is acting as a terror state," it said.
"Israel's aggressive and unlawful actions will not silence the voices that stand up for human dignity and universal values."
France said it would work to ensure the rapid return home of French citizens aboard the boat.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the Israeli interception of the vessel, calling it a "form of piracy".