'Turn back': Israel orders military to block 'antisemite' Greta Thunberg-led aid boat from reaching Gaza
Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, on June 1, 2025. (Pic credit: AP)
As
Greta Thunberg
sails towards Gaza with other activists carrying aid for people in war-torn Gaza, Israel on Sunday vowed to prevent the boat from entering the territory.
Defence minister Israel Katz said that it wouldn't allow the boat to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory.
The naval blockade aimed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, he said.
"I have instructed the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza," Israel Katz said in a statement. "To Greta the antisemite and her companions, Hamas propaganda mouthpieces, I say clearly: turn back because you will not reach Gaza."
The vessel, Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail from Sicily last Sunday to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and draw international attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
The group said they intended to reach Gaza's territorial waters by Sunday.
Thunberg is among 12 activists onboard, along with Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent. Hassan has previously been barred from entering Israel due to her vocal opposition to Israeli policies toward Palestinians.
The aid mission comes at a time when humanitarian groups are sounding the alarm over looming famine in Gaza.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất
IC Markets
Đăng ký
Undo
After imposing a complete blockade on the enclave for over three months, Israel began allowing limited aid to enter last month. However, aid agencies say it falls far short of what's needed to address the crisis.
This is not the first time the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has tried to reach Gaza by sea. A previous attempt in May ended in disaster after one of their vessels was struck by drones in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the ship's front section.
Despite the risks, the activists aboard Madleen say they are determined to complete their mission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Meet the 12 NYC Mayoral candidates: What they stand for in the 2025 race
Image credits: Getty Images The NYC mayoral candidates are making headlines in the news every other day. The 12 candidates who come from a variety of cultural, educational and life backgrounds are leaving no stone unturned to be considered the shining star who will change the future of New York City for the better. Who are these candidates and what are their campaigning ideas that separate them from their contenders? Let's take a closer look. Eric Adams Image credits: Getty Images A warrior back to the battlefield. Eric Adams was the former mayor of NYC who faced a historic indictment. Recently, a judge accepted a request from Trump's Justice Department to dismiss corruption charges against him and now Adams is running for re-election as an independent. Before becoming the mayor, he was an officer in the New York City Transit Police and the New York City Police Department. Campaign : Adams is campaigning for a "safer, more affordable city," and "EndAntiSemitism" ballot lines in November. Andrew Cuomo Image credits: Getty Images Andrew Cuomo previously served as the 56th Governor of New York. He completed a law degree from Albany Law School in 1982 and headed the Transition Committee for the then Governor-Elect Mario Cuomo, his father and also served as his advisor. He is also the founder of the non-profit Housing Enterprise for the Less Privileged (HELP) and has served as HUD Secretary and New York State Attorney General. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Campaign : He is focusing on the issues of affordability, education and childcare, public safety, subway safety, housing, mental health, addiction and homelessness, health and wellness, combating antisemitism, economic development, and a clean and livable city. Zohran Mamdani Image credits: Getty Images Zohran Mamdani, is a New York State Assembly member from Queens. One of the distinctive factors about him is his pro-Palestine stance which he isn't shy about. He completed his bachelor's in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College in 2014 and has already made history as the first South Asian man elected to the New York State Assembly, and the first Ugandan and third Muslim to hold a seat there. Campaign : Mamdani is aiming to freeze the rent, make buses and child care free, launch a Department of Community Safety and create city-owned grocery stores among other things. Brad Lander Image credits: Getty Images Brad Lander is currently serving as the New York City Comptroller and has run housing organizations like the Fifth Avenue Committee and the Pratt Center for Community Development. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has previously worked at the City Council as the Deputy Leader for Policy. Campaign : His top priorities are to get seriously mentally ill people off the streets and subways and build affordable housing. Additionally, he has his focus on restoring funding to early childhood education and executing capital projects management among other things. Adrienne Adams Image credits: Getty Images Adrienne Adams currently serves as the Speaker of the New York City Council. She is the first-ever African American speaker and leads the first women-majority council in NYC. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Spelman College and previously worked in corporate executive training, human capital management and childcare training. Campaign : She aims to make the city safe and affordable, especially for families and children. Scott Stringer Image credits: Getty Images Scott Stringer is one of the nine candidates who qualified to participate in the debate on NBC New York. He is a former NYC Comptroller and a Democratic Party candidate. He has previously served as a state assemblyman, and Manhattan Borough president. Campaign : Scott's plans include public safety and quality of life, ethics and corruption, housing, childcare, sanitation, protecting NYC from the Trump administration, residential options for families, activities for youth, international business and events and more. Jessica Ramos Image credits: Getty Images Jessica Ramos has been serving as the New York State Senator for the past six years, representing District 13. She also chairs the Senate Committee on Labor. Born in Elmhurst and raised in Astoria, she is the first American-born in her family. Recently, she also served as the Director for Latino Media for New York City. Campaign : She is aiming for affordable housing, safe and reliable public transit, protection for workers, a clean future, universal child care, quality education and secure healthcare. Zellnor Myrie Image credits: Getty Images State Senator Zellnor Myrie is currently serving the 20th District. He is also the chair of the Elections Committee. He previously worked as a legislative director in the New York City Council and also made use of his law degree from Cornell Law School by working at Davis Polk & Wardwell for a year. Campaign : He proposes to build and preserve 1 million homes in NYC, ensuring public safety, creating universal and free after-school programs, working for the black community and more. Michael Blake Image credits: Getty Images Michael Blake is a politician and member of the Democratic Party. He formerly served as a New York Assemblyman from the 79th district and was the Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. He also served as the Iowa deputy political director for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential elections. Campaign : He is aiming for affordable housing for middle-class families, schooling for children, guaranteed jobs, safer neighbourhoods and a sustainable future. Whitney Tilson Image credits: Getty Images Whitney Tilson is a Democrat who has previously worked as a consultant, managed a hedge fund, worked as an editor at Stansberry Research, and co-authored three books. He was also the founding member of Team For America and has served on the finance committees of Barack Obama and Cory Booker. Campaign : As a mayor, he promises to revitalize the economy, tackle affordable housing, cut crime by 50%, hire 5,000 more police officers, end homelessness by expanding the shelter system, and fix public schools. Jim Walden Image credits: Getty Images Jim Walden is an attorney who has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. After entering private practice he has represented several popular faces such as UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor. Campaign : He wants to tackle corruption, create jobs, and focus on housing production among other things. Curtis Silwa Image credits: Getty Images American activist and radio show host, founder and chief executive officer of Guardian Angles, Curtis Silva dons many hats. He was the Republican nominee for the 2021 NYC mayoral elections where he lost to Eric Adams. This is his second time running for the post as the party's nominee. Campaign : He aims to combat crime, expand the police department, and oppose migrant shelters and e-bikes.
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Is Elon Musk's feud with Donald Trump a teaser for his political ambitions? Rumors spiral as 'Muskians' weigh in
In an unexpected twist that's rippling through political and tech circles alike, Elon Musk and Donald Trump—once perceived as two towering allies of influence—are now locked in a public spat that's as volatile as their personalities. The feud , which has evolved from sharp remarks to veiled accusations, is fueling whispers of a deeper political pivot for the Tesla and SpaceX boss. Could this be Musk's unofficial campaign trailer for a future role in politics ? From Compliments to Cold Wars The dramatic fallout began when Trump, speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, commented coolly on his past rapport with Musk: 'Elon and I had a great relationship… I don't know if we will anymore.' The remark came after Musk voiced criticism of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill (BBB)—a sweeping debt-cutting proposal. Trump quickly countered, accusing Musk of attacking the bill to safeguard Tesla's electric vehicle subsidies. Musk didn't hold back. In a stunning escalation, he suggested on social media that Trump may be implicated in the "Epstein files," sending speculation into overdrive. The insinuation lit up the internet, while Trump fired back with threats to strip Musk of his multi-billion-dollar government contracts, suggesting this would be a quick way to 'save billions' in the federal budget. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Political Chess or Genuine Rift? As the drama unfolded, Republican Congressman Thomas Massie stepped in with a striking perspective. Massie dismissed the idea that Musk was ever driven by tax incentives, claiming the billionaire's involvement with political figures had cost him more than it gained. 'So many politicians get into politics for personal benefit,' Massie said while talking with Fox News . 'Elon's motivations go beyond that.' According to Radar Online, t his clash has left the Republican base visibly shaken. Trump loyalists are reeling, struggling to reconcile their admiration for both men. Some online users, affectionately dubbed "Muskians," appear to be navigating what commentators are calling the 'seven stages of political grief.' And with Musk increasingly weighing in on legislative matters and electoral dynamics, some believe he's testing the waters for a deeper dive into the political arena. You Might Also Like: Donald Trump vs Elon Musk feud sparks meme fest online: From WrestleMania edits to Simpsons spoofs A New Kind of Candidate? Massie's suggestion that Musk should engage more with primary elections than general contests is telling. Not all Republicans are cut from the same cloth, and Musk's vocal criticism of Trump-era policies—paired with his ever-growing influence—could position him as a disruptive force within the GOP, or even beyond it. Critics argue that Musk's interventions highlight a broader shift in conservative politics, where tech moguls and billionaire capitalists wield growing influence over party ideology and public discourse. But the tension also exposes a deeper fear: that Musk, with his staggering wealth, massive online following , and visionary allure, could reshape political engagement altogether—perhaps as a candidate, or at least as a kingmaker. — RepThomasMassie (@RepThomasMassie) From Boardroom to Ballot? For now, Musk hasn't made any formal moves toward a political office. But the ferocity of his feud with Trump, paired with his increasing interest in legislative decisions, is leaving many to wonder: is this more than a battle of egos? Is it a preview of a seismic shift in American political leadership? Whatever the truth may be, one thing is clear—the Musk-Trump rift is more than just personal. It's political, it's public, and it might just be the start of Elon Musk's most uncharted journey yet. You Might Also Like: Elon Musk's estranged daughter Vivian revels in his rift with US President Donald Trump: 'Love being right' You Might Also Like: Trump vs Elon Musk: Why are they fighting? Tesla CEO makes explosive claim about US President's Epstein files connection
Mint
31 minutes ago
- Mint
Greta Thunberg and team face resistance, Israel vows to prevent aid boat from entering Gaza
Greta Thunberg, a renowned activist, and her team are aboard the Madleen, a vessel en route to Gaza with aid and assistance. However, their journey may not see fruition as the Israeli government has vowed not to let the vessel enter the war-torn region. According to Defense Minister Israel Katz' recent announcement, Israel will not be removing their naval blockage of the Palestinian region at any cost. This blockade was strategized in the first place to reportedly prevent Hamas from importing arms and ammunition. 'To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists — I will say this clearly: You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza,' Katz said in a statement. The Madleen, a vessel carrying Thunberg and 11 other activists, departed Sicily last Sunday with the aim to break the naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid there. They are also planning on raising awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis due to the Israel-Hamas war, according to an AP report. "The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza's territorial waters as early as Sunday. Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist on board the boat, posted a video on social media Sunday afternoon saying someone appeared to be jamming their tracking and communication devices about 160 nautical miles from Gaza," The AP report reads. "Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians," the report continues. There have been previous attempts to supply humanitarian aid by sea, but it has failed due to the naval blockade by Israel. Activists are now warning about the possibility of famine unless the sea blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive against Gaza. Israel had begun to slowly allow some humanitarian aid after a "2½-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas," but it appears not to be enough in the ongoing crisis.
