Greta Thunberg, other activists set sail to Gaza on Freedom Flotilla ship

1 June 2025, 10:52 am

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Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and other activists set sail from Sicily to Gaza on a ship aimed at protesting Israel’s war in the territory.

The trip is organized by the Freedom Flotilla coalition, which for more than a decade has sent ships to the coastal enclave in declared opposition to Israeli blockades there.

Rima Hassan, a European Parliament member taking part in the new trip, said Friday the operation had “several aims: to condemn the humanitarian blockade and ongoing genocide, the impunity granted to the state of Israel and raise international awareness.”

Another Freedom Flotilla ship was blocked in Turkey in April after Guinea-Bisseau withdrew its flag, and the vessel was later struck by armed drones, according to its organizers.

In May 2010, another, much-remembered “Gaza Freedom Flotilla” organized by the same coalition was intercepted by the Israeli Navy.

After the convoy refused orders to reroute to Ashdod, Israeli commandos boarded one of the ships, the Mavi Marmara, which was carrying over 600 passengers. After being met with violent resistance, the commandos opened fire, killing 10 Turkish activists. Ten Israeli soldiers were wounded during the attack.