Climate activist Greta Thunberg is at the center of a new international confrontation after embarking on a maritime mission to Gaza aboard the Madleen ship, as part of a symbolic action for publicity purposes regarding the situation in the region, as well as to carry out pro-Hamas propaganda.
The Israeli government, led by Defense Minister Israel Katz, has vowed to prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza's shores, labeling the mission as a threat to national security.
Thunberg is part of a group of 11 activists of various nationalities, including citizens from Germany, France, Brazil, Türkiye, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands, who make up the so-called Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the organization behind the mission. Among the terrorists is also Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian origin who has previously been banned from entering Israel.
The Madleen ship departed from the port of Catania, in Sicily (Italy), on June 1 and, as of Sunday evening, was about 160 nautical miles from Gaza. The vessel is carrying a symbolic amount of "humanitarian aid," but its main objective is political and media-related.
Israel has warned that it will not allow the ship to break the naval blockade imposed on Gaza for years. In a strong statement, Minister Katz said: "I've instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to act and prevent the flotilla of hate from reaching Gaza's shores, taking all necessary measures."
