The Israeli Navy has intercepted a humanitarian aid flotilla destined for Gaza. Around 50 boats made an attempt to breach Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave. All activists and supplies were seized.
On board was infamous Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that the activists, including Thunberg, were detained and transferred to an Israeli port. “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy,” the ministry wrote on X.
The ministry dismissed the mission as a “provocation” rather than a humanitarian effort, insisting that the activists had been offered a way to deliver supplies “peacefully” to Gaza but chose instead to approach “an active combat zone” in defiance of a “lawful naval blockade.” The flotilla, which departed from Spain last month, carried activists from more than 40 countries, hoping to supply humanitarian aid to Gazans in the war torn region.
The flotilla’s spokesman, Saif Abukeshek, later said that 13 boats in total were intercepted and more than 200 people detained. He added that around 30 vessels were still heading toward Gaza, attempting to evade Israeli patrols.
Israeli officials described the flotilla as a “provocation” aimed not at delivering aid but assisting Hamas, according to a report by RT.
This seizure of the flotilla sparked international concern, prompting Colombia to respond.
Two Colombian nationals were among those aboard the seized boats, and President Gustavo Petro has demanded their immediate release. Petro also has announced the expulsion of all remaining Israeli diplomats following the interception of the Gaza flotilla.
Last week, the United States ruling class revoked Petro’s visa after he called on American soldiers to “disobey” President Donald Trump’s orders and instead, “obey the order of humanity”. He made the remarks while attending the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
On its face, disobedience is a virtue; however, Petro called for a global military force, big enough and violent enough to contend with the U.S., leaving no room for peaceful disobedience. He called for a global armed force “bigger than that of the United States” to be formed to liberate Palestinians.
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“Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.” ―
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