Greta Thunberg on aid ship: Israel stops protest action off Gaza!

Greta Thunberg on aid ship: Israel stops protest action off Gaza!

On June 9, 2025, the sailboat “Madleen” set off on a controversial mission with a group of activists, including the well-known climate activist Greta Thunberg. Their goal was to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which Israel has blocked since 2007. The boat was loaded with relief supplies intended for about two million people in Gaza, including baby food and medical supplies. This campaign attracted significant media interest and was accompanied by several prominent participants who gave numerous interviews and reported live. However, the ship was stopped by the Israeli Navy in international waters and towed to the port of Ashdod without any resistance from the activists, unlike previous incidents such as the Mavi Marmara in 2010. Jewish General reports that Israel aimed to present a positive image of its humanitarian efforts by providing the activists with water and sandwiches.

The Israeli government had to prevent the arrival of the “Madleen” under the pretext of security and control over humanitarian aid. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the ship's passengers were safe and unharmed after the interception operation. Nevertheless, Israel described the ship as a “selfie yacht” and criticized the action as a media provocation. In addition to the relief supplies, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition had distributed videos in which the activists reported a “kidnapping” by Israeli forces and asked for help. Thunberg explained in a video that they were intercepted in international waters.

Reactions to the action

The reactions to the campaign were diverse. Activists and Israel itself could both be satisfied with the media coverage. Greta Thunberg holding the Palestinian flag aloft produced striking images on the boat that were quickly shared on social media. The Israeli Defense Ministry, led by Israel Katz, legitimized the interception by citing the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip aimed at curbing the influence of Hamas. The situation surrounding the blockade has been tense since the Gaza war began last year, with Israel systematically blocking the delivery of aid.

Although the activists were not allowed into Gaza and were instead sent back to Europe, Israel still planned to send the unused food rations to Gaza. Some of the activists had to watch a 45-minute video about Hamas atrocities. Iran described the operation that stopped the ship as piracy and criticized Israeli military interventions in the area of ​​humanitarian aid.

The action initiated by the activists and Thunberg was not only an attempt to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, but also to appeal to the international community's responsibility to stand up for the rights of the Palestinian people. This came amid pressure that the ongoing conflicts in the region are putting on the humanitarian situation.