Amid ‘kidnapping’ claims, Israel says Greta Thunberg is ‘safe and in good spirits’, shares her picture
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said, “If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters.”
Activists Greta Thunberg and 11 others onboard the Gaza charity ship ‘Madleen' alleged that they were “intercepted and kidnapped in international water” by Israeli occupational forces.
But hours later, Israel's Foreign Ministry posted a picture of her on X, saying, “Greta Thunberg is currently on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits.”
‘Intercepted and kidnapped’
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the group operating the vessel, posted a series of pre-recorded videos online of activist who were on board the Medleen.
In one such clip, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said, “If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters.” She calls on her supporters to put “pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”
Others on board the ship were Rima Hassan, Reva Viard, Baptiste Andre, Pascal Raymond Maurieras and Yanis Mhamdi from France, Sergio Toribio from Spain, Mark van Rennes from Denmark, Hüseyin Şuayb Ordu from Turkey, Yasemin Acar from Germany and Thiago Avila from Brazil.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said 'Madleen', named after a Palestinian fisher, is a “symbol of resistance and resilience”. The group said, “This month, she [Madleen] will sail to Gaza, carrying a cargo of hope and humanitarian aid.”
Connection lost
In earlier posts on Telegram, the organisers of a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship carrying activists including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg said Israeli forces have boarded the vessel.
"Connection has been lost on the 'Madleen'. Israeli Army have boarded the vessel," the “pro-Palestinian” Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) posted on Telegram, referring to the ship.
Israel denies harm
Israel's Foreign Ministry denied any harm to the activists onboard the Gaza aid ship. The ministry released a fresh video, stating that, “All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over.”
The Israeli Navy had earlier instructed the “selfie yacht” to change its course due to its approach toward a restricted area.
The ‘selfie yacht’
The ministry called Madleen the “selfie yacht” of the “celebrities”. It said, There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies.”
Taking a dig at the activists, Israel said, "While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included less than a single truckload of aid — more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks..."
The ministry said the "tiny amount of aid" that was on the yacht and not consumed by the “celebrities” will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels.
Israel-Hamas war
Israel has been at war with Hamas since October 7, 2023, when the militant group launched a surprise attack that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages being taken. More than 50 of those captives remain in Gaza, and Israel believes about 20 are alive.
Hamas, which the US and the European Union have designated a terrorist organization, claims that more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, without differentiating between civilians and combatants. Israel has lost more than 400 troops to Gaza combat.