LONDON: Greta Thunberg, the Swedish activist, responded to claims from the Israeli government about the Global Sumud Flotilla, saying that “no one would risk their lives for a publicity stunt.”
More than 500 volunteers, including doctors, lawyers, politicians and activists, are aboard 50 civilian boats heading to Gaza. Israeli leaders have repeatedly characterized the flotilla as “a publicity stunt,” a claim activists on board deny.
“First of all, I don’t think anyone would risk their lives for a publicity stunt. Second of all, if you think it’s a publicity stunt, have you asked people in Gaza if they consider this a publicity stunt?” Thunberg told the BBC show “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.”
She added: “I repeat, this mission should not have to exist, we do not want to be doing this, but we have to keep trying right?
“If we just thought to ourselves, ‘well I’m just one person I can’t make a difference,’ then almost no one would have rights by now.”
The flotilla is en route to the Palestinian coastal enclave of Gaza in an attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver essential medical supplies and food. Palestinians have been experiencing widespread hunger due to ongoing Israeli attacks that began in late 2023 in Gaza and resulted in the killing of more than 65,000 people.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has proposed that flotilla activists unload their aid at Ashkelon port for transport into Gaza, saying they will “not allow a breach of a lawful naval blockade.”
The flotilla has reported several drone attacks since departing from Spain on Sept. 1. The crew said that some vessels were sprayed with unidentified chemicals, hit by sound bombs and explosive flares, and had their communications jammed. Last week, Italy and Spain sent military ships for assistance and possible rescue operations after the recent attacks on the flotilla.
