Climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists have set sail for Gaza on a ship aimed at breaking Israel's siege of the devastated territory, organisers have said. The sailing boat Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed from Catania in Sicily, southern Italy, on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference before departure, Thunberg broke down in tears, saying: 'We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying. Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And, no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the livestreamed genocide.'
Among those joining the crew are Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian descent who has been barred from entering Israel due to her opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza. The activists expect the journey to take seven days, if they are not stopped.
This attempt follows a previous failed mission in early May, when another Freedom Flotilla vessel, the Conscience, was allegedly attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the ship's front section.
Thunberg, who became internationally famous for leading climate protests in Sweden, had been due to board that earlier ship. The latest voyage comes as UN agencies warn that Gaza is at risk of famine, with Israeli restrictions, lawlessness and looting hindering aid delivery to roughly two million Palestinians.
