The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced early morning on Monday that it had diverted the Madleen, a Gaza-bound ship, back toward Israeli territory and the passengers would be sent home. This action followed Israel's pledge to prevent any attempt to breach a military blockade that has been in place for nearly two decades.
The civilian vessel was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which focuses on challenging the blockade. The ship had embarked from Sicily on June 1, embarking with a dozen activists and important figures, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament.
On social media, the Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized the activists, branding them as “selfie yacht celebrities” attempting to provoke the media for publicity. It released a video purportedly showing the passengers safe onboard, wearing life jackets and being provided with food and drinks.
Moments before the interception, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition indicated that alarms were triggered, and drones were deployed over the ship as they reported losing contact. The coalition labeled the Israeli military's actions as a form of "kidnapping" of the activists.
The incident has stoked heightened tensions in an already volatile region, drawing scrutiny from activist groups and the international community alike, as calls for humanitarian assistance within Gaza persist alongside ongoing territorial conflicts.
The civilian vessel was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which focuses on challenging the blockade. The ship had embarked from Sicily on June 1, embarking with a dozen activists and important figures, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament.
On social media, the Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized the activists, branding them as “selfie yacht celebrities” attempting to provoke the media for publicity. It released a video purportedly showing the passengers safe onboard, wearing life jackets and being provided with food and drinks.
Moments before the interception, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition indicated that alarms were triggered, and drones were deployed over the ship as they reported losing contact. The coalition labeled the Israeli military's actions as a form of "kidnapping" of the activists.
The incident has stoked heightened tensions in an already volatile region, drawing scrutiny from activist groups and the international community alike, as calls for humanitarian assistance within Gaza persist alongside ongoing territorial conflicts.
