Greta Thunberg, a climate campaigner, has come aboard the Freedom Flotilla, an international aid convoy headed for Gaza hoping to open the Israeli blockade and bring necessary humanitarian goods. Carrying food and medical supplies, the flotilla aims to provide a relief corridor in reaction to what organizers term as Palestinians in the area experiencing systematic deprivation.
One month after a prior attempt was stopped when a ship called Conscience was bombed, the mission goes Undeterred, the group has re started its campaign stressing the necessity of civilian-led humanitarian action among what it portrays as worldwide political apathy. Thunberg’s involvement highlights the flotilla’s fitment with larger initiatives for climate, social, and decolonial justice. According to organizers, the initiative is part of a world fight led by underprivileged people; they urge people to stand with Palestinians and ask for unrestricted access to help. By highlighting the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and pushing for worldwide responsibility, the Freedom Flotilla, a symbolic and practical challenge to the blockade, helps to raise attention.
Irish actor Liam Cunningham, best known for his part in Game of Thrones, has joined a coalition of activists, politicians, and humanitarian organizations in a renewed sea effort to bring aid to Gaza and oppose the Israeli blockade.
Organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the trip is the group’s second effort in recent weeks to access the under-siege Palestinian territory. Early May saw a sudden stop in their earlier mission after two drones in international waters near Malta collided with the FFC ship Conscience. The coalition has held Israel responsible for the assault, which caused major damage to the bow of the ship.
Currently on board the ship Madleen, the group—joined by people like MEP Leila Chaibi and climate activist Greta Thunberg—is not only bringing medical and food supplies to Gaza but also openly opposing what they call the systematic denial of humanitarian access.
In a video message, MEP Manu Pineda stated, “This is a protest against Israel’s persistent blockade, its impunity, and the lack of response from international organizations.” She continued by saying the project also addresses the May 2 assault and continuous limitations that have Gaza almost starving.
Minimal assistance has reached Gaza despite Israel having somewhat loosened the blockade. Humanitarian organizations have condemned recent disorderly scenes at aid distribution sites—set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli- and US-backed initiative—where several people died and many more were hurt.
Accusing Israel of using food aid as a weapon of war, the United Nations and various aid agencies have boycotted the initiative. The World Health Organization cautioned that Gaza’s extreme hunger rates and general malnutrition and illness spreading still underlie a quarter of her population.
After planning large demonstrations in her home country of Sweden, Thunberg, who became a globally renowned environmental campaigner, was scheduled to board an earlier Freedom Flotilla ship last month. Early May’s attempt to reach Gaza by sea ended when another of the group’s ship, the Conscience, purportedly suffered drone attacks by two drones while cruising in international waters off the coast of Malta.
In the most recent clash over attempts to send aid to the Palestinian territory ravaged by almost 19 months of conflict, the group charged Israel for the attack, which harmed the front section of the ship.
Activist Thiago Ávila said, “We are breaking the siege of Gaza by sea, but that is part of a more general plan of mobilizations that will also try to breach the land.”
Ávila mentioned the Global March to Gaza, an international project open to doctors, lawyers, and media, which is set to depart from Egypt and arrive at the Rafah crossing by mid-June. Organisers intend to hold a protest asking Israel to call off the Gaza offensive and reopen the border.
