Greta Thunberg is launching her second Gaza-bound “Freedom Flotilla” today, with Israel reportedly preparing to throw activists in ‘terror cell’ conditions
Greta Thunberg, the 22 year old climate activist, is bracing herself for a potential stint in a terror cell as Israel readies severe detention plans. This comes as she embarks on her second “Freedom Flotilla” to Gaza today.
Setting sail from Barcelona with the Global Sumud Flotilla, the environmental campaigner aims to deliver much-needed aid to Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
Joining Thunberg on this hazardous journey are Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Ada Colau, Barcelona’s ex-mayor. They form part of an expanding convoy of activists resolute in their mission to breach Israel’s blockade. This news just days after Israel declared Gaza City ‘dangerous combat zone’.
READ MORE: Israel says ISIS head Muhammad Abd al-Aziz Abu Zayda ‘eliminated’ in Gaza strikeREAD MORE: Tony Blair urged to explain secretive Donald Trump meeting at White House
This action takes place mere weeks after the Swedish activist was detained in international waters during her initial attempt to reach Gaza in June. Israeli forces boarded her vessel and arrested her along with 11 other passengers.
The threat of detention looms large as Israel’s hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is reportedly set to propose a chilling plan to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan involves incarcerating flotilla activists in “terrorist-level” conditions at the infamous Ktzi’ot and Damon detention centres, reports the Express.
According to Israel Hayom, the harsh measures would also result in dozens of vessels being confiscated and converted to establish a “maritime force for police operations” to bolster Israel’s naval blockade.
Sources close to Ben-Gvir issued a chilling threat to potential activists, declaring: “Following several weeks at Ktzi’ot and Damon, they’ll be sorry about the time they arrived here. We must eliminate their appetite for another attempt.”
Overwhelming backing for operation.
Speaking before leaving Barcelona port, Thunberg informed Iranian Press TV that the flotillas seek to “deliver humanitarian aid and break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza and open up a people’s humanitarian corridor”.
The campaigner disclosed that over 26,000 individuals have registered to participate in the operation to shatter the blockade on Gaza, with numerous vessels anticipated to depart from Tunisia and other Mediterranean harbours on September 4.
“This project is part of a global uprising of people standing up… when our governments fail to step up, the people will take their place, and that their atrocities and their complicity in the genocide in Gaza right now.. is not something that we can stand for,” she proclaimed.
Justifying her operation.
In a promotional clip for her latest Gaza endeavour, Thunberg emphasised the operation shouldn’t be required, stating: “It should not have to be up to us. A mission like this should not have to exist.
“It is the responsibility of countries, of our governments and elected officials to act to try to uphold international law, to prevent war crimes, to prevent genocide. That is their legal duty to do. And they are failing to do so, thereby betraying Palestinians but also all of humanity.”
Prior to departure, she dismissed claims of anti-Semitism, stating to Sky News this weekend: “It is not antisemitic to say that we should not be bombing people, that one should not be living in occupation, that everyone should have the right to live in freedom and dignity, no matter who you are.”
Risky venture.
The Gaza blockade has been maintained since 2007, with Israel routinely stopping vessels trying to break through it.
The perils became devastatingly apparent in 2010 when Israeli commandos stormed a Gaza-bound aid convoy, resulting in the deaths of eight Turkish campaigners and an American-Turkish youth.
Regardless of these hazards, Thunberg expressed she was more troubled by the “silence of the world” regarding the escalating situation in Gaza.
“I’m terrified to see that we seem to have lost all the humanity that we have, and there seems to be no compassion left in the world amongst the vast majority of people who are able to sit on the couch and watch the genocide unfold that I am terrified for,” she added.
Israel poised to respond The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has firmly stated: “The IDF enforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon.”
During Thunberg’s previous attempt in June, when she set sail from Catania, Italy, aboard the vessel Madleen with 11 pro-Palestine campaigners, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin warned: “For this case as well, we are prepared. We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.”
After intercepting the June flotilla, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ridiculed what it called the activists’ “selfie yacht” carrying 12 “celebrity” campaigners, stating the “tiny amount of aid” on board would be “transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels”.
The ministry even shared an image of Thunberg accepting bread from an Israeli soldier after she had complained about being “kidnapped” by Israeli forces.