Israel says it will ‘show Greta Thunberg October 7 attacks footage’ after Gaza-bound aid boat diverted

9 June 2025, 05:45 | Updated: 9 June 2025, 07:46

The pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said its passengers had been 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is "safely making its way to the shores of Israel", the country's foreign ministry claims.

It said Greta Thunberg was "safe and in good spirits" while en route to Israel.

FFC activists released a social media video saying they had been "kidnapped by Israeli forces" at about 2am on Monday.

They released pre-recorded messages, previously saying that the "Israeli army had boarded" the vessel.

The sailing boat - led by the 22-year-old climate campaigner - departed from the Sicilian port of Catania in southern Italy last week.

It was trying to reach the shores of the Gaza Strip in an effort to bring in some aid and raise "international awareness" of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and open up an aid corridor to the region, the activists said at a press conference.

In a statement via his spokesperson, defence minister Israel Katz said that he has instructed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to show the activists the 7 October attacks when they arrive at Ashdod Port.

"Antisemitic Greta and her Hamas-supporting friends should see exactly what the Hamas terrorist organisation - which they came to support and act on behalf of - truly is," he said.

"They should see the atrocities committed against women, the elderly, and children, and understand whom Israel is fighting to defend itself."

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The coalition previously posted a voice memo on its Telegram account of Thiago Avila, one of the activists onboard, saying: "We have been surrounded by many lights all at once; they were circling our boat but in the end they kept going their own way."

Israeli Defence Minister Israeli Katz took to Twitter on Sunday to confirm he has instructed the Israeli Defence Force to “take whatever measures necessary” to stop the Madeleine reaching the Gaza Strip.

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament, who is of Palestinian descent, is also on the aid ship.

She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israel's policies towards Palestinians.

Ms Hassan wrote on X as the yacht was allegedly surrounded: "The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2am."

Defence minister Katz said: "I commend the IDF for its swift and safe takeover" of the vessel, and said the Israeli military "will continue its just and moral fight against the Hamas murderers until their defeat, the release of all hostages, and the full restoration of Israel's security".

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It comes amid the backdrop of an ever-worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with at least 53,000 people killed in Israeli attacks, and hundreds of thousands more at risk of starvation, according to the United Nations.

Taking to X on Sunday, Katz wrote: “I have instructed the IDF to act to prevent the "Madeleine" hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza - and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end.

“To the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: ‘You should turn back - because you will not reach Gaza.’

“Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organizations – at sea, in the air, and on land.”

In an impassioned speech ahead of her departure, Ms Thunberg said: "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 live-streamed genocide."

Israel denies allegations of Genocide, a claim which has been judged "plausible" by the International Criminal Court.

In mid-May, Israel slightly eased its blockade of Gaza after nearly three months, allowing a limited amount of humanitarian aid into the territory.

Experts have warned that Gaza is at risk of famine if more aid is not brought in.

UN agencies and major aid groups say Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Gaza's roughly two million Palestinians.

Among those joining the crew of the ship are Game Of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent.

She has been barred from entering Israel due to her active opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza.