The Israeli government has issued a firm warning that it will not allow environmental activist Greta Thunberg or her fellow passengers aboard the vessel Madleen to reach the Gaza Strip as part of their ongoing “freedom flotilla.”
The group departed from Catania, Sicily last Sunday with the stated goal of delivering humanitarian aid and raising awareness about conditions in the Palestinian territory.
Thunberg, 22, is one of 12 activists onboard.
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Others include French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan and actor Liam Cunningham, known for his role in Game of Thrones.
The ship was expected to arrive off Gaza’s coast this weekend.
.@GretaThunberg’s leisure cruise to Gaza is going to be blocked by Israel.
They’re not interested in her self-aggrandizing nonsense.
Greta needs to find herself a real job. pic.twitter.com/Dz4lQWYrdQ
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 6, 2025
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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been ordered to intercept the vessel before it reaches Gaza’s territorial waters.
Katz stated that the flotilla participants are traveling “with Hamas propagandists” and described Thunberg as “antisemitic.”
“I instructed the IDF to act so that the Madleen does not reach Gaza,” Katz said.
“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.”
The Israeli military has stated that the blockade in place around Gaza is intended to prevent the flow of weapons to Hamas.
The IDF has confirmed preparations are underway to block the vessel, and Israeli media has reported that elite forces are standing by to detain the activists if necessary.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the IDF may take control of the vessel and redirect it to the port of Ashdod.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said, “We are prepared. We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.”
Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian activist onboard, posted on social media that tracking and communication systems were being jammed roughly 160 nautical miles from Gaza.
The Madleen reportedly changed course temporarily to respond to a distress call from a migrant boat, which was said to be carrying about 40 people.
Rima Hassan, who is of Palestinian descent, has been barred from entering Israel due to her opposition to Israeli policy toward Palestinians.
Thunberg spoke before departure, saying, “We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying. Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity.”
She added, “No matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide.”
A Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel is on its way to Gaza. Activist Greta Thunberg is among the crew: “We are doing this because no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying, because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity.” pic.twitter.com/ilQis345iF
— DW News (@dwnews) June 3, 2025
Israel has rejected accusations of genocide, calling them “blood libel” and labeling them antisemitic.
The country maintains that its operations in Gaza are in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and led to the abduction of 251 hostages.
Israel says 58 hostages remain in captivity, with a third believed to still be alive.
The flotilla effort comes amid heightened international focus on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Greta Thunberg’s flotilla is not a humanitarian mission. It is a curated narrative device. In the age of perception warfare, activism is measured not by impact but by optics. Gaza offers emotional theater and preloaded moral binaries. Sudan does not. Her flotilla sailed past a… pic.twitter.com/V9qbKGRXEf
— أحمد شريف العامري (@ahhmedshh) June 8, 2025
“My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden. If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel.” pic.twitter.com/Ku7QILHpfd
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) June 9, 2025
🚨BREAKING:
“Climate activist” Greta Thunberg and her Nazi friends threw their electronic devices into the water when Israeli forces showed up, adding to the pollution in the Mediterranean sea pic.twitter.com/IrIIE93Bu4
— The Uri (@uricohenisrael) June 9, 2025
After being stopped by the Israeli Navy, IDF special forces soldiers handed out food and water to the brain dead morons from Europe on the boat including Greta Thunberg. I bet they didnt expect to be treated so well. Look how confused they seem 😂 #Flotilla #Gaza pic.twitter.com/wq7YyNgwzw
— Eretz Israel (@EretzIsrael) June 9, 2025
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), more than 3,700 children were admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition in March, marking an 80% increase from the previous month.
Food production in Gaza has been nearly eliminated, with many residents surviving on a single daily meal composed of pasta, rice, or canned goods. ActionAid reported that the price of flour had surged to $300 per bag by April.
The UN Security Council attempted to pass a resolution on Wednesday calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and unrestricted humanitarian access.
The measure was supported by 14 of the 15 member states but was vetoed by the United States.
The draft resolution also called for the release of all hostages and the lifting of all aid restrictions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, “Today, the United States sent a strong message by vetoing a counterproductive UN Security Council resolution on Gaza targeting Israel. The United States will continue to stand with Israel at the UN.”
.@StateDeputySpox: The U.S. vetoed a counterproductive @UN Security Council resolution that targeted Israel and failed to condemn Hamas. As @POTUS has made clear, we will not support any resolution that fails to demand Hamas disarm, leave Gaza, and release all hostages. pic.twitter.com/sUlPu2uDmP
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 5, 2025
In the weeks leading up to the Madleen’s journey, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported a drone attack on a separate vessel off the coast of Malta.
A Heron drone — manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries and operated by the Hellenic Coastguard — was reportedly observed hovering above the Madleen on consecutive nights.
The flotilla was one of several efforts planned under the banner of the Global March to Gaza, a campaign that organizers say will include doctors, lawyers, and journalists.
That initiative is expected to reach the Rafah crossing from Egypt in mid-June to call for the reopening of Gaza’s border and an end to Israel’s blockade.
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