There Israeli coast guard intercepted and stopped in the past few hours Veliero Madleenbelonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalitionwith a group of international activists on board, including the Swedish activist for the climate Greta Thunberg. The boat, which started with the declared intent to reach the Gaza Strip To deliver humanitarian aid and “break the naval block”, it was blocked in international waters and escorted towards the Israeli port of Ashdod.
According to reports from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the detention took place after “repeated notices” aimed at the crew, which would not have obtained the authorizations necessary to enter the Palestinian territorial waters. “The yacht is sailing safely to the Israel coast,” the authorities specified, adding that passengers will be repatriated to their respective countries of origin. Aid on board – including food, powdered milk and medical material – will be transferred to Gaza “Through official channels”.
The version provided by the organizers of the mission is of a completely different content. In a note, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition denounced an “illegal” action by Israeli forcesdefining the abroad “a kidnapping” and underlining the civil and unarmed character of the crew. “Our life -saving load has been confiscated”, said the NGO, which speaks of a “violation of international law”.
Greta Thunberg, passed from the climate to Palestine, has released a recorded message before departure, aware of the possibility of a detention: “My name is Greta Thunberg and I come from Sweden. If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli employment forces, or by forces that support Israel. I urge my family, my friends and companions to put pressure on the Swedish government Make me and the others as soon as possible “. In response, the Foreign Ministry of the Jewish state has published on X a photo in which you can see the Swedish activist while receiving a sandwich: “Greta Thunberg is traveling to Israel, healthy and save and in a good mood”. Among the passengers he also appeared Rhyme hassanFrench MEP of Palestinian origin, to which entry into Israel was forbidden. According to the authorities, this decision would be linked to its critical positions towards Israeli policies.
The story risks acute further diplomatic tensions between Tel Aviv and some European capitals. While Israel insists on the need to control any type of access to the strip for safety reasons, the NGO have long denounced the blockage as an obstacle to humanitarian assistance in a territory already deeply tried by the current conflict.
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