Greta Thunberg, the Swedish environmental activist who has become a global figure for climate justice, is taking her advocacy to new waters—literally.
Thunberg, 22, has boarded a ship bound for Gaza in an attempt to breach Israel’s long-standing naval blockade.
She departed Sicily on Sunday aboard the Madleen, accompanied by 11 others, including Irish actor Liam Cunningham—best known for his role in “Game of Thrones”—and European Parliament member Rima Hassan.
The voyage, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, aims to spotlight the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and demand an end to what activists call a “systematic starvation” of the population.
“The world cannot be silent bystanders,” Thunberg. “This silence and passivity that we are seeing from most of the world is deadly. We are seeing a systematic starvation of 2 million people. Every single one of us has a moral obligation to do everything we can to fight for a free Palestine.”
Thunberg is joined by Cunningham on the voyage
The journey is expected to take seven days if unimpeded, though Israeli authorities tightly patrol Gaza’s coastal waters.
Previous attempts to reach Gaza by sea have met with violence or interception. In 2010, Israeli commandos raided a flotilla attempting to deliver aid, killing nine pro-Palestinian activists and injuring dozens.
Though international prosecutors later suggested Israeli forces may have committed war crimes, the case was not pursued further.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition Resumes Its Efforts Amid Tensions
The Madleen voyage is the latest effort by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international activist group that has attempted multiple sea missions to Gaza.
An earlier attempt in May failed when another vessel, Conscience, was struck by two drones in international waters near Malta. The group accused Israel of launching the attack, which significantly damaged the front of the vessel.
“We are breaking the siege of Gaza by sea, but that’s part of a broader strategy of mobilisations that will also attempt to break the siege by land,” said Thiago Avila, a member of the coalition.
Rima Hassan, the French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament on board the Madleen, said the voyage’s goals are “to condemn the humanitarian blockade and ongoing genocide, the impunity granted to the state of Israel, and raise international awareness.”
Thunberg Faces Fierce Backlash Amid Rising International Tensions
Thunberg prepares to board the Madleen in Catania, Italy, joining the Freedom Flotilla Coalition en route to Gaza
Thunberg’s participation in the mission has sparked a wave of public incitement, with pro-Israel figures using social media to issue statements many have interpreted as threats.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham posted a news article about the flotilla, commenting: “Hope Greta and her friends can swim!”—a remark widely condemned as a veiled threat suggesting potential violence against the activists.
Australian pro-Israel commentator Arsen Ostrovsky went further, labeling Thunberg a “little jihadist” and claiming she was trying to enter Gaza “to show solidarity with Hamas.” His post ended ominously: “It would be so sad if something were to happen to her flotilla.”
The inflammatory rhetoric has alarmed human rights advocates and fueled debate over the treatment of dissenting voices on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Australian writer Caitlin Johnstone questioned the backlash in stark terms: “Who would have imagined a few years ago that calls for the assassination of a young global figure known for her environmental advocacy would be made openly, just because she chose to support Gaza?”
As the Madleen sails onward, the risks remain high—not only on the waters ahead, but in the rhetoric and political tensions trailing in its wake.
By Mehr Jan
