For once, Greta Thunberg hasn’t got her way.
The Swedish activist, best known for her climate zealotry, recently set sail from Italy on a small ship carrying aid to be distributed in Gaza in protest against Israel’s recent blockade—enough supplies, American commentator Eyal Yakoby suggested, “for maybe a dozen people,” making this voyage “the most pathetic, performative stunt imaginable.”
But Israeli officials have ruled that the group is not permitted to approach the Palestinian territory, fearing that a precedent could be set.
Military figures said on Tuesday they were “prepared” to “protect” their waters and “will act accordingly.” It is not exactly clear what steps will be taken if the self-titled ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition’ continues on its voyage. German daily Welt suggests the ship could be towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod and the activists on board arrested there.
Around 10 others are on board, including Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham. Thunberg announced before the trip that the intention was to “break Israel’s siege,” adding that “no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide.”
“Not a word,” jibed English writer Julie Burchill, “about the October 7th pogrom which started this whole tragic mess.”
Just Greta as a seaborne Jeanne d’Arc, travelling bravely on with nothing but her keffiyeh, a few protein bars and a press contingent for comfort. Was there ever such a show-boating crusading numpty as this one?
Greta’s crew has “strongly” condemned what it described as “Israel’s declared intent to attack Madleen” and asked for help after being “approached and circled” by drones off the coast of the Greek island of Crete, although these turned out to have been operated by… the Greek coastguard. No prizes for guessing that one.
