ISRAEL’S military has been ordered to do “whatever it takes” to stop Greta Thunberg’s boat from reaching Gaza.
The 22-year-old environmental advocate is one of 12 individuals on the Madleen, which set sail from Sicily last Sunday as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The group says its mission is to break Israel’s long-standing sea blockade and deliver urgent aid to the war-torn enclave.
However, Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant delivered a firm warning as the ship neared the end of its voyage: “You should turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.”
In a post on X, Gallant said he had given the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) a green light to intervene.
He stated: “I have directed the IDF to ensure that the ‘Madeleine’ hate flotilla does not make it to the Gaza shores – utilizing any measures required to achieve this.”
“To the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: You should turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.
“Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organizations – at sea, in the air and on land.”
Alongside Thunberg is Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament of Palestinian descent.
She has previously been barred from entering Israel due to her outspoken criticism of the country’s policies towards Palestinians.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says it is carrying essential supplies to a population facing catastrophic conditions.
Humanitarian organisations have warned of an impending famine unless the blockade and the war – now in its 20th month – come to an end.
Israel imposed a near-total blockade on Gaza in late 2023, following Hamas’s horror massacre on southern Israel on October 7.
Though some limited aid has been allowed in since last month, aid agencies claim it is nowhere near enough.
The flotilla’s latest voyage follows a failed attempt in May, when another of its vessels was struck by two drones in international waters off Malta.
The group accused Israel of being behind the attack, which damaged the ship’s bow.
Despite the risks, activists aboard the Madleen have said they plan to enter Gaza’s territorial waters as early as Sunday.
CONTROVERSIAL CREW
The vessel’s rather controversial crew includes figures who have openly supported terrorist organizations and have made inflammatory public statements.
Brazilian activist Thiago Avila attended the funeral of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, calling the terrorist a “beloved” leader and a “martyr”.
Avila said he was “very honoured” and “very happy” to attend, and described the funeral as something that “amazed him”.
He wrote that Nasrallah was an “important figure” who “inspired people all over the world”.
Also on board is Yasemin Acar from Berlin, who reportedly danced as Iranian rockets rained down on Israel and once told a white woman at a protest: “You’re a white person, you shouldn’t tell us what to do.”
French journalist Omar Faiad, of Al-Jazeera, sparked outrage for comparing the IDF to Nazis.
On X, he wrote: “The Israeli army resembles the Nazi army,” and claimed: “Israel is committing a new Holocaust in Gaza.”
Rima Hassan, meanwhile, previously tweeted: “Kfir, Ariel, and Shiri Bibas were killed by an Israeli attack,” despite Hamas being responsible for their abduction and deaths.
She was also seen at a protest where demonstrators chanted: “We die for jihad.”
Irish Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham is also on the boat.
