Israel’s navy intercepted a large pro-Palestinian flotilla overnight on Thursday, October 1st, as it attempted to breach the naval blockade of Gaza.
One of the first boats carried climate activist Greta Thunberg. Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed she was in custody and would be deported along with other participants. French politician Marie Mesmeur and Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan also said their boats were stopped.
Officially, the flotilla aims to challenge Israel’s 18-year blockade of Gaza by delivering aid to the besieged territory via ships that departed from multiple Mediterranean ports, including Barcelona. Critics point to other motives, however, ranging from narcissism to antisemitism.
Flotilla organizers condemned Israel’s actions as “an illegal attack” on humanitarians, while Israel accused them of seeking provocation rather than delivering aid.
Footage from the scene showed some activists throwing phones into the sea as Israeli soldiers approached. Israel accused several passengers of having links to Hamas—informed, in part, by documents recovered from terrorists in Gaza —and insisted the action was a necessary security measure.
Flotilla crews were warned by an Israeli naval officer via radio:
[BLOCKQUOTE] You are approaching a blockaded zone. If you wish to deliver aid to Gaza, go to the Port of Ashdod for inspection.
Arrests and detentions followed, prompting some international criticism of Israel.
