Israel Boards Activist Ship Carrying Greta Thunberg and Dutch Captain

(ISRAEL / GAZA) The Israeli army has stopped the Madleen, the activist ship that was on its way to Gaza to deliver aid. Israeli soldiers boarded the ship at sea.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ship is en route to the Israeli coast and the passengers are unharmed. "They are expected to return to their own country," the ministry said.

On board are, among others, the well-known Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and the Dutch captain Mark van Rennes. Shortly before the soldiers boarded, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the Israeli navy had ordered the sailboat to change course.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz has instructed the army to show the passengers of the Madleen images of the October 7 attacks upon arrival in the port of Ashdod. According to Katz, the passengers support the terrorist organization Hamas and must be shown the atrocities it has committed.
The activists had baby food, flour, rice, diapers and medical supplies on board. The limited supply was mainly symbolic, said French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan. Greta Thunberg told NOS that she wanted to "keep her eyes on Gaza" with the boat trip.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke of a "selfie hunt" with "celebrities". "There are ways to get aid to the Gaza Strip, but without Instagram selfies", the ministry wrote on X.

Seatmates speak of 'kidnapping' in video messages

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the organisation behind the ship with activists, speaks of "kidnapping" by the Israeli army. On their X page they post videos in which they call on the ministries of Foreign Affairs to take action.
The videos were made before the ship was actually stopped. Dutch crew member Mark van Rennes can also be heard saying: "If you see this video, we have been kidnapped in international waters at sea by the Israeli occupation army or an army that helps Israel commit genocide against the Palestinian population.
I call on the Dutch population to advocate for my release and that of all other peaceful activists." Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan also have similar messages. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says that the aid supplies that were intended for the people in Gaza have been confiscated by Israel.

(Source: NOS.nl)