Rumors are spreading that Israeli forces kidnapped Greta Thunberg after they intercepted her ship, the Madleen, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. The climate activist set sail for the Palestinian territory on June 1, aiming to break through the ongoing Israeli blockade and deliver essential supplies to the war zone.
Over a week later, Israeli forces appear to have diverted her ship. Here’s what we know so far.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, accused Israeli forces of kidnapping the activists as they attempted to deliver urgently needed aid to Gaza.
In a statement, the coalition claimed that Israeli forces unlawfully boarded the ship, abducted its unarmed civilian crew, and confiscated life-saving cargo, including baby formula, food, and medical supplies. They said the seizure occurred in international waters, about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Gaza.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt, stating that “the ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel.”
The activists launched their voyage to protest Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, one of the deadliest and most destructive conflicts since World War II, and to challenge the restrictions on humanitarian aid, which have pushed the territory’s 2 million residents toward famine.
Departed a Week Ago
Thunberg is one of 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which departed from Sicily a week earlier. During the journey, the crew paused on Thursday to rescue four migrants who had jumped overboard to escape detention by the Libyan coast guard.
Thunberg urged action in a pre-recorded message she released after Israeli forces stopped the vessel: “I ask all my friends, family, and comrades to pressure the Swedish government to secure the release of myself and the others as soon as possible.”
Thunberg had been due to board a previous Freedom Flotilla ship, the Conscience, last month. Drones bombed and disabled it while it was in international waters off Malta, heading toward the Palestinian territory.
