Greta Thunberg and other activists onboard the Madleen aid flotilla will be forced to watch footage of the 7 October attacks, as Israel’s defence minister announced.
Jerusalem / Ashdod, June 9, 2025 — In a dramatic early‑morning operation, Israeli naval forces intercepted and commandeered the Madleen, a British‑flagged aid vessel carrying 12 activists—including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg—en route to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The flotilla set sail from Catania, Sicily, on June 1 with a symbolic cargo of baby formula, flour, medical supplies, children’s prosthetics—and with the mission to break what organisers call Israel’s “criminal blockade” on Gaza.
Israeli forces intercepted the vessel in international waters—approximately 100–200 km from Gaza—detained all passengers without reported injuries, and diverted the boat to the port of Ashdod.
“Kidnapped in International Waters”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition denounced the interception on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the Israeli military of forcibly “kidnapping” the crew. Greta Thunberg had pre‑recorded a distress video stating: “We’re being intercepted and kidnapped in international waters,” and urged her government to intervene.
Israel’s Justification
The Israeli Foreign Ministry defended the mission as critical to enforcing its naval blockade and preventing assistance to Hamas. It stated that all passengers were safe, had been provided with basic care, and would be deported.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the activists—whom he called “provocateurs” aligned with Hamas—will be required to view footage of the October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians upon arrival in Israel.
Humanitarian Aid Re‑routed
Israeli officials confirmed that the modest quantity of aid aboard the Madleen will be rerouted to Gaza through vetted, “real” humanitarian channels. They noted that over 1,200 trucks have recently delivered aid, providing some 11 million meals.
Polarized Reactions
The incident has sparked global protests and diplomatic pressure. The UN rapporteur for Palestinian territories has demanded urgent clarification from the UK, as the Madleen flew under the British flag.
Student-led protests erupted in Australian cities—including Brisbane—calling for governments to end diplomatic ties with Israel.
Supporters of the flotilla urge that such direct action keeps the Gaza blockade in the international spotlight, while critics—including conservative commentators—dismiss the mission as a staged stunt by a celebrity activist.
Background to Previous Attempts on Aid
This flotilla is reminiscent of the tragic Gaza Flotilla raid that took place in 2010.
In that incident, Israeli commandos attempted to intercept assistance vessels in international seas, which ultimately resulted in nine deaths.
The Madleen mission comes after an earlier effort in April with the Conscience, which was allegedly hit by drone fire off the coast of Malta in May.
The Israeli and Egyptian governments have been imposing a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007.
This blockade has been intensified during the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in serious shortages and fears of famine among the two million people who live there.
Israel will deport the activists after likely screening, including exposure to the October 7 footage.
UN and international bodies are expected to intensify calls for safe passage for humanitarian missions to Gaza.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition has signalled its intent to continue operations, undeterred by the interception.
The detainment of activist Greta Thunberg aboard the Madleen amplifies the tension between symbolic activism and national security.
With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepening and protests flaring worldwide, the incident adds another layer to the fraught debate over blockade, aid delivery, and the legitimacy of civil resistance at sea.
