Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza Flotilla Carrying Greta Thunberg; Activists Claim ‘Kidnapping
In a social media video, Greta Thunberg claimed that she and other Freedom flotilla members were abducted while travelling to Gaza.
In a social media video, Greta Thunberg said that Israeli soldiers had abducted her and other members of the Freedom flotilla who were travelling to Gaza. This follows the Daily Mail’s claim that the crew of the ship Madleen raised an alarm after multiple Israeli warships surrounded it. In a pre-recorded video, Thunberg pleaded for international assistance.
In the video, she introduced herself as Greta Thunberg, a native of Sweden. “If you watch this video, the Israeli occupation forces—that is, troops that support Israel—are intercepting and kidnapping us in international waters. I implore all of my loved ones, friends, and allies to exert pressure on the Swedish government to expedite mine and the others’ release.
The Israeli military has boarded its ship headed for Gaza, according to confirmation from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). On Telegram, the organisation shared a picture of crew members sitting inside the boat with their hands raised while donning life jackets. But the picture did not show any Israeli Defence Force soldiers.
The ship was ‘under assault’, according to the FEC earlier. “The ‘Madleen’ has lost connection. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said that the Israeli army had boarded the ship.
The ship is surrounded by quadcopters that are spraying it with a material that resembles white paint. Disturbing noises are being broadcast on the radio, and communications are being jammed,” FFC continued on its Telegram channel. Israel has stated time and time again that it will prevent the relief boat from getting to Gaza.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on Sunday that he had given the IDF instructions to make sure the “Madleen” flotilla did not make it to Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s press officer in Germany, Mahmud Abu-Odeh, told AFP that “the activists seemed to be arrested.” According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the boat was told to alter its course by the Navy as it got closer to “a restricted area”.
“The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” the ministry posted on social media.
“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,” the ministry stated.
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