Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s flotilla resumed its journey to the Gaza Strip on Monday evening after being halted by bad weather.
The flotilla left Barcelona early in the morning but was forced to return to its port of departure due to a storm at sea. The activists want to break the blockade of the Palestinian enclave by delivering food and medicine there.
This is the fourth such attempt this year. The coalition has been named the “Sumud Global Flotilla” (in accordance with the Palestinian concept of steadfastness). It has replaced the “Freedom Flotilla” coalition.
The activists are expected to reach the Gaza Strip on September 14-15. During the voyage, the number of ships in the flotilla may increase to 70.
On August 31, the Israel Hayom newspaper wrote that the Israeli authorities want to detain and imprison Greta Thunberg and other activists travelling to the Gaza Strip as terrorists. The prisons in question are Kitzot and Damon. The plans are being developed by Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Meanwhile, the EU politicians are actively supporting the flotilla activists on social media.
Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte wrote on his X page:
“They will be treated as terrorists. This is Israel’s plan against activists who sailed from Italian ports on the Global Sumud flotilla to deliver aid and support, break the blockade and end the inaction regarding the genocide and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza. This is more than absurd: a criminal like Netanyahu acts with impunity, having killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 children; Anyone who delivers humanitarian aid, enjoying widespread public support, including from Italy, risks being treated as a terrorist and persecuted. Will Meloni abandon her selfies in a hat and side with those who have decided to fight to end this horror, or will she, as always, allow her friend Netanyahu to do his thing?”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed (LFI), wrote on X:
“Following threats from Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu’s minister, Spain is extending its diplomatic protection to the new flotilla. And France, which has three MPs (rebels) on board? Netanyahu has no right to kidnap people at sea! Neither his population nor his territory are under threat. The waters of Gaza remain the property of the State of Palestine. Therefore, Netanyahu is not on his own territory and has no “right to self-defence.” The French navy must ensure the protection of the flotilla from piracy.”
