Israel Threatens to Block Ship Delivering Aid to Gaza
Synopsis
A yacht conveying aid workers is attempting to arrive in Gaza, but Israel alleges it will not permit them in. The vessel has 12 individuals aboard, including Greta Thunberg, the young climate change activist.…
A yacht conveying aid workers is attempting to arrive in Gaza, but Israel alleges it will not permit them in. The vessel has 12 individuals aboard, including Greta Thunberg, the young climate change activist.
Boat Approaching Gaza
Yacht Madleen departed from Sicily last Friday. It is currently 160 miles off the coast of Gaza. Passengers on the vessel are hoping to deliver aid to Palestinians there.
Israel has prevented boats from reaching Gaza for years. Defense Minister Israel Katz also does not wish this vessel to reach them. He instructed his military to do whatever was needed to prevent them from reaching Gaza.
The organization that organized the boat, Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was aware that this could happen. They loaded humanitarian aid regardless and declared themselves prepared if Israel attempted to attack.
Why Israel Blocks Ships
Israel has blocked the majority of boats since 2007 from going to Gaza. They claim it prevents weapons from getting to Hamas, the organization that controls Gaza. Katz explains that this blockade ensures Israel's safety while it battles Hamas.
On Sunday, Katz penned on the internet that he instructed Israel's military to halt what he termed the "hate flotilla." He doesn't wish for any vessel to end up on Gaza shores.
Angry Words for Thunberg
Katz became extremely angry at Greta Thunberg in particular. He insulted her and said she is spreading falsehoods for Hamas. "You need to turn back because you will not arrive in Gaza," he wrote to her and the others aboard.
He assured Israel would block anyone attempting to breach their blockade, whether by land, air, or sea.
What's Happening in Gaza
Gaza is a tiny region where more than 2 million Palestinians reside. Israel decides what comes into and out of there. There isn't enough food, medicine, or other things for many people there.
Israel claims it must control Gaza in this manner in order to prevent Hamas from obtaining weapons. Other individuals state that ordinary Palestinians are harmed when they cannot obtain essential supplies.
This has been happening for nearly 18 years now. Things got even worse recently when there was a confrontation between Israel and Hamas.
Other Boats Tried Before
It is not the first time that activists have attempted to deliver aid to Gaza by boat. Israeli troops took over one such Turkish ship in 2010. Nine people were killed during that attack.
Thunberg gained fame at a young age for boycotting school to protest climate change. Now she speaks out about what's occurring with Palestinians in Gaza, too.
The world waits to see what will be done about this ship. Many relief organizations claim Palestinians in Gaza actually need the aid, but Israel tightly controls everything that goes into Gaza.
The crew of the yacht claims they only seek to deliver humanitarian aid to those in need. Israel states that no boat will be able to breach their blockade of Gaza
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At Inspirepreneurs Magazine, covering entrepreneurship, business failures, and the human stories behind the world's most ambitious founders. She writes at the intersection of strategy and storytelling.
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