In a bold, high-seas operation that is now reverberating across global headlines, Israeli commandos intercepted a Gaza-bound Selfie Yacht humanitarian vessel carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, and other international human rights defenders in the early hours of Monday.
The British-flagged yacht Madleen, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s (FFC) latest campaign to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, was intercepted in international waters around 2 a.m., according to statements by the activists onboard.
Greta Thunberg Arrested in International Waters
Photos shared on social media by Hassan showed activists in life jackets, hands raised, as commandos boarded the vessel. “We were arrested by the Israeli army,” Hassan posted on X (formerly Twitter), igniting a firestorm of outrage and solidarity across global activist communities.
The ship, which set sail from Sicily last Friday, was carrying a small but symbolically potent consignment of humanitarian supplies — including baby formula and rice — intended for Palestinian civilians trapped in war-torn Gaza. However, Israel views the mission not as aid, but as provocation.
Israel Labels It a “Publicity Stunt”
In a scathing post, the Israeli Foreign Ministry described the yacht as a “selfie yacht of the celebrities,” accusing the activists of manufacturing a “media circus” rather than delivering meaningful aid.
“The passengers are expected to return to their home countries. While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation… more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel in the past two weeks,” the Ministry stated.
Officials emphasized that the aid on Madleen was less than a single truckload and claimed any usable items would be rerouted through official humanitarian channels.
Military Orders and Ministry Warnings
The interception came shortly after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly threatened to “take all necessary measures” to prevent the vessel’s arrival. This aligns with Israel’s long-standing blockade policy—enforced since 2007—to block potential arms smuggling into Hamas-controlled Gaza.
“Like they bring in aid — they might bring in other things, like ammunition… They do not have different privileges because there are celebrities on board,” said Israeli Embassy spokesperson Guy Nir in a statement.
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The Israeli Navy intercepted the yacht under maritime enforcement protocols, but critics argue the raid occurred in international waters, raising questions of legality and sovereignty.
Freedom Flotilla Hits Back: “We Will Not Be Intimidated”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has condemned the raid, branding it an act of “state piracy.” The group asserts that Madleen was an unarmed civilian vessel on a humanitarian mission. They accuse Israel of abusing its power to suppress dissent and silence international witnesses.
“The world is watching. Israel has no right to obstruct our effort to reach Gaza,” said the FFC in a press statement, rejecting Tel Aviv’s characterization of the mission as illegitimate.
The group insists the mission followed all international maritime laws and was aimed at delivering essential humanitarian aid directly to civilians cut off by siege and war.
A History of Disruption and Denial
This is not the first time a Freedom Flotilla has faced violent resistance. In May, another FFC vessel named “Conscience” was allegedly attacked by drones near Malta, forcing an abrupt end to its voyage. The FFC blamed Israel, which neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the incident.
The recent incident involving Madleen now raises serious diplomatic concerns over Israel’s enforcement actions in international waters — especially when those actions involve elected European officials and high-profile figures like Thunberg.
Celebrities, Symbolism, and the Struggle for Gaza
While critics dismissed the aid load as symbolic, the symbolism was exactly the point for organizers. The presence of Greta Thunberg, long known for confronting global power structures over climate inaction, has now thrust Gaza’s humanitarian crisis into mainstream Western discourse once more.
Yet Israel remains firm in its position: “This is not aid but a publicity stunt,” their officials insist. According to them, the interception was a routine matter of national security, not political theatre.
The Aftermath: What Comes Next?
As Madleen is towed to an undisclosed Israeli port, activists remain in custody, their fate unknown. European governments are expected to issue statements in the coming hours, particularly given the arrest of a Member of the European Parliament.
