ISRAEL has ordered its military to intercept a boat carrying Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists from reaching Gaza to deliver aid.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that Israel will not allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he claimed is aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms.
As reported in the Times of Israel, Katz said: "I have instructed the IDF to act so that the Madleen does not reach Gaza. To the anti-semitic Greta and her friends, I say clearly: You should turn back, because you will not reach Gaza.
"The State of Israel will not allow anyone to violate the naval blockade on Gaza, the primary purpose of which is to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas, a murderous terror organisation that holds our hostages and commits war crimes."
Responding, Freedom Flotilla Coalition press officer Hay Sha Way said: "The statement by Israel’s Defense Minister is yet another example of Israel threatening the unlawful use of force against civilians – and attempting to justify that violence with smears.
"We will not be intimidated. The world is watching. And no amount of Zionist propaganda can obscure the truth: Israel is enforcing a genocidal blockade through brute military power, in open defiance of international law and basic human decency.
"The Madleen is a civilian vessel, unarmed and sailing in international waters, carrying humanitarian aid and human rights defenders from across the globe. This mission is independent of any government or political party – driven solely by conscience and solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza."
The statement adds: "As of now, the Madleen is approximately 160 nautical miles from Gaza. Earlier today, we experienced temporary signal jamming that caused a false location to appear near Jordan, but our tracker is now functioning normally. We are monitoring the situation closely.
"We remain calm, resolute, and prepared for the possibility of an Israeli attack. We reiterate our call to world governments to demand that Israel stand down. Israel has no right to obstruct our effort to reach Gaza.
"We will continue forward. Gaza is not alone."
Thunberg, a Swedish climate and social justice campaigner, is among 12 activists aboard the Madleen, which is operated by the humanitarian organisation Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The vessel departed Sicily last Sunday on a mission that aims to break the sea blockade of Gaza and deliver vital humanitarian aid, while raising awareness over the growing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
The activists had said they planned to reach Gaza’s territorial waters a week later.
Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, is among the others onboard. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies towards the Palestinians.
The National previously told how the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has called on the UK Government for "protection", as the Madleen is flying the UK flag.
After a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless the blockade and the conflict ends.
An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.
The National is running a live blog as the Madleen nears Gaza. You can follow along HERE.
