Greta Thunberg sailing to bring aid to Gaza. Stopped by Israeli navy

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In the night between Sunday and Monday, the Israeli navy blocked and boarded the Madleen, the 18-meter ketch – also carrying activist Greta Thunberg, who is not on her first sailboat crossing, and actor Liam Cunningham – that was sailing to Gaza with a cargo of humanitarian aid.

Not an easy mission from the start, that of the “Madleen.” This 18-meter, British-flagged sailboat belongs to the “Freedom Flotilla,” an international coalition made up of several pro-Palestinian NGOs and committed since 2010 to challenge the Gaza blockade in order to bring basic necessities to the Palestinian population.

The sailing ship, named after a female fisherman from Gaza, the first and only one to operate a boat of her own in 2014, set sail Sunday, June 1, from the port of San Giovanni Li Cuti in Catania, Italy, and was bound for Gaza (1,000 miles of sailing) with the goal of breaking the Israeli blockade and delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population.

Greta Thunberg at the bow of the “Madleen”

Greta Thunberg also in activist crew.

On board the “Madleen” were loaded basic necessities, such as juice, powdered milk, rice, diapers, canned food, protein bars, sanitary products for women, water desalination kits, medicines, crutches, and prostheses for children. Those who boarded the cabin cruiser before departure said that on the deck and even below deck, minus the space strictly necessary for sleeping and cooking, every nook and cranny is full of provisions to take to Gaza.

In addition to the crew, 12 volunteers from different countries were embarked on the “Madleen.” Among them was Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg, 22, who in addition to fighting climate change has long supported the Palestinian cause. Thunberg is no stranger to sailing. In fact, in 2019 she had completed an Atlantic crossing, from England to New York (U.S.), aboard the Imoca 60 “Malizia 2” to take part in a climate summit organized by the United Nations.

Joining Thunberg on board the “Madleen” was Irish actor Liam Cunningham, famous for starring in the TV series “Game of Thrones.” Then again, Palestinian-French MEP Rima Hassan along with other activists.

A risky course

Seven days of sailing on a route of about 1,000 miles were planned to reach Gaza. The risk, however, that the route of the “Madleen” might be blocked was very high, and it was. Israel had instructed the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) to intervene to prevent the “Madleen” from reaching Gaza. “We will not be intimidated,” Freedom Flotilla activists had responded, “the ‘Madleen’ is a peaceful, unarmed civilian ship sailing in international waters with humanitarian aid and human rights defenders on board. This mission is independent, guided only by conscience and solidarity with Gaza.”

The spot where the “Madleen” was stopped.

The boat was escorted into the Israeli city of Ashdod and the 12 activists on board were detained: they are awaiting deportation to their respective countries of origin.

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