Israel at War: Week 87
The activist boat, Madleen, aptly nicknamed the ‘selfie yacht’ sailed with the aim of bringing ‘symbolic humanitarian aid to Gaza.’ It was truly only symbolic because the aid they brought was “less than a single truckload of aid.”
The Israel Navy intercepted the vessel and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg promptly claimed they were being kidnapped. Spain challenged Israel for its actions, as at least one of the participants was a Spanish citizen. The Freedom Flotilla Foundation states as its aim “to show Palestinians that people and organizations around the world stand for and support their struggle for dignity and freedom.”
The Israeli Navy brought the ship to port in Ashdod where the participants were fed sandwiches and water. Israel Foreign Ministry challenged them, “Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing efforts. All actors should act responsibly and to channel humanitarian aid through legitimate, coordinated mechanisms, and not through provocation.” They will also be shown the video “Bearing Witness,” which was filmed by Hamas terrorists from their body cams. “It’s appropriate that Greta the antisemite and her Hamas-supporting friends should see exactly who is the terror group Hamas that they support and act on behalf of, what atrocious acts they carried out on women, the elderly and kids, and who Israel is fighting for its defense against,” the defense minister said. The ship and its occupants will soon return to their respective countries.
(Source: The Times of Israel)
