A charity vessel, the Madleen, carrying 12 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, was intercepted and seized by Israeli naval forces on Monday evening. The boat, flagged by Britain and operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and break the naval blockade.
*The Incident*
The Madleen was carrying a symbolic amount of aid, including rice and baby formula, to raise international awareness about the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. However, before reaching Gaza, the vessel was intercepted and diverted by Israeli forces to the Israeli port city of Ashdod.
According to Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the boat docked in Ashdod, and the passengers are undergoing medical examinations to ensure their health and safety.
*Greta Thunberg’s Statement*
In a video released by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition before the vessel’s capture, Thunberg said;
“ If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli occupational forces or forces that support Israel.”
She urged her friends, family, and comrades to pressure the Swedish government to release her and the others as soon as possible.
*Reactions*
The Israeli government dismissed the boat as a “selfie yacht” and stated that its members would be deported to their respective countries. Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, accused Greta Thunberg and the aid ship crew of ignoring Hamas atrocities by “closing their eyes to the truth.” US President Donald Trump downplayed the incident, saying, “I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg.”
*Passenger Details*
The 12 people on board the humanitarian vessel belonged to seven countries:
– *Brazil*: 1 passenger
– *France*: 2 passengers, including Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament, and Omar Faiad, a journalist with Al Jazeera
– *Germany*: 1 passenger
– *Netherlands*: 1 passenger
– *Spain*: 1 passenger
– *Sweden*: 1 passenger (Greta Thunberg)
– *Turkey*: 1 passenger
The situation remains ongoing, with the passengers’ fate and potential deportation hanging in the balance.
