Foreign Ministry says activist boat ‘a media gimmick,’ warns against sailing into ‘conflict area’ off Gaza

In a lengthy post on X, the Foreign Ministry says an activist ship seeking to challenge the blockade on Gaza is “a media gimmick,” as an Israeli interception of the ship and its high-profile crew looms.

“The yacht is claiming that it is delivering humanitarian aid. In fact, it is a media gimmick for publicity (which includes less than a single truckload of aid) – a ‘selfie yacht,’” the ministry says of the “celebrities yacht,” which is carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, and Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian European Parliament member.

The boat is being closely tracked by international media, and the statement is likely intended to head off the expected outcry, including from European governments, should Israel move to block the boat.

Activists say they are aiming to deliver humanitarian aid, while raising awareness over the growing humanitarian crisis 20 months into the war between Israel and the Hamas terror group.

The Foreign Ministry statement says aid is being delivered “regularly and effectively via different channels and routes, and is transferred through established distribution mechanisms,” citing claims from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation of nearly 11 million meals handed out via boxes of dry goods.

“The Gaza maritime zone remains an active conflict area, and Hamas has previously exploited sea routes for terrorist attacks, including the October 7th massacre. Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts,” the ministry says. “We call on all actors to act responsibly and to channel humanitarian aid through legitimate, coordinated mechanisms, not through provocation.”