By Mirna Fahmy
On June 1, 2025, the yacht Madleen, led by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, departed from Catania, Sicily, with a humanitarian mission to Gaza. Operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the British-flagged vessel aimed to break the Israeli naval blockade and deliver aid to the besieged enclave.
Thunberg, 22, was among 12 international passengers on board, including French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, along with an unnamed politician, journalist, and doctor. Additional volunteers hailed from France, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Türkiye, and the Netherlands.
The Madleen carried essential humanitarian supplies: baby formula, 100 kg of flour, 250 kg of rice, diapers, menstrual products, water desalination kits, medical equipment, crutches, and prosthetics for children. Formerly known as Barcarole, the yacht was renamed in honor of Madleen Culab, Gaza’s first female fisherman.
However, before reaching its destination, the vessel was intercepted by Israeli forces in the early hours of June 9 near the Egyptian coast and diverted to Ashdod Port. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced via X that he had authorized the swift seizure of the vessel to enforce the blockade and prevent the flotilla’s arrival in Gaza.
Katz accused Thunberg and her fellow passengers of supporting Hamas and labeled them “anti-Semitic.” He directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to show the passengers footage of the October 7 Hamas attacks upon arrival, claiming it would reveal the atrocities committed against Israeli civilians. According to Katz, the activists refused to continue watching the video, prompting Israeli officials to criticize them for “choosing ignorance” and allegedly turning a blind eye to Hamas’s crimes.
In response, France’s Foreign Affairs Minister demanded the immediate release of six French nationals detained during the operation and condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza as “a scandal” and “a disgrace.”
Greta Thunberg was released and left Israel less than 48 hours after her detention on June 10, 2025. Several other activists who declined voluntary deportation remained in custody, awaiting a hearing before an immigration tribunal the following day.
Thunberg and Her Activism
Thunberg began her environmental activism at the age of 15, famously initiating the global “Fridays for Future” movement, by protesting outside the Swedish parliament to demand stronger climate action. Her unwavering commitment to addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions quickly gained international recognition, inspiring millions across age groups. Thunberg became known for her direct, often confrontational rhetoric that challenged world leaders to act with urgency on the climate crisis.
While celebrated for her passion and resilience, Thunberg has also faced criticism. Detractors argue that she occasionally oversimplifies complex scientific and economic issues, and at times misrepresents scientific consensus, which they say undermines her credibility among experts and policymakers.
In recent years, Thunberg’s activism has expanded into broader political spheres—particularly the Palestinian cause. Her outspoken criticism of Israel, which intensified following the Israeli-Hamas war that erupted in October 2023, has drawn both support and controversy.
Notably, the German chapter of her own movement, Fridays for Future, publicly distanced itself from her after comments and actions perceived as antisemitic. Thunberg’s alignment with pro-Palestinian advocacy, including appearances wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh during protests, has led to increased scrutiny. In countries like Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, her activism has sparked protests, arrests, and calls for bans, with critics accusing her of using environmental platforms to promote political messages they interpret as anti-Jewish.
Perception of the Madleen Vessel
The mission of the Madleen sparked a wide range of reactions, sharply dividing public opinion along political and ideological lines.
Among pro-Palestinian circles, the yacht was hailed as a courageous and symbolic act of defiance. Supporters praised Greta Thunberg and her fellow activists for attempting to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza—a blockade that, according to Israel, had been tightened in recent weeks to curb Hamas rocket attacks and prevent the smuggling of dual-use materials. For many, the Madleen became a beacon of solidarity and humanitarian concern.
However, others questioned the motives behind the voyage. Some critics viewed the mission as a publicity stunt orchestrated by left-wing activists seeking to capitalize on global sympathy for Gaza. Israel dubbed the vessel the “Selfie Yacht,” suggesting it was more about crafting a savior image than delivering substantial aid. According to this view, the stunt was designed to appeal to fervent pro-Palestinian audiences rather than offer meaningful support.
Pro-Israeli voices reacted with sharp disapproval. When Israeli forces intercepted the vessel, Thunberg posted a video claiming she and the other passengers had been “kidnapped,” calling on the Swedish government to intervene. Her comments were met with widespread mockery—critics pointed out the irony of someone claiming to be kidnapped while being able to communicate freely, in stark contrast to the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
Commentators from the United Arab Emirates also weighed in. Several Emirati journalists and influencers questioned why such international efforts weren’t being directed toward Sudan, where millions are suffering amid a devastating civil war and face severe food shortages with little foreign aid.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted a photo on its official X account, showing Thunberg smiling while being offered sandwich and water by an Israeli soldier. The image was widely circulated and used to challenge Thunberg’s claim of abduction, highlighting the relative comfort of her treatment while in Israeli custody.
In a follow-up post, Israel’s official account labeled the aid carried by the Madleen as negligible, stating that it had been consumed by the activists themselves and would now be delivered to Gaza through recognized humanitarian channels. The statement emphasized that over 1,200 aid trucks had entered Gaza from Israel in the previous two weeks, with nearly 11 million meals provided through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Meanwhile, footage emerging from Gaza painted a starkly different picture: long queues of civilians clutching empty plates, waiting for limited food rations. Reports from inside the territory also indicated that some humanitarian aid was not being distributed freely but was instead being sold at exorbitant prices.
Following her deportation, Thunberg faced additional criticism for flying back to Europe, which some argued contradicted her environmental principles. Upon landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, she condemned Israel’s actions as “illegal,” describing the boarding of the yacht in international waters as a form of “kidnapping” and calling the experience “dehumanizing.” Nevertheless, she reaffirmed her commitment to activism, vowing, “We won’t stop.”
Inspired by the Voyage of the Madleen, a North African Convoy Sets Out for Gaza
Motivated by the symbolic sail of the Madleen, a new humanitarian effort emerged from North Africa. On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, a convoy named the “Maghreb Resilience Convoy” departed from Tunis, Tunisia. The initiative aims to travel through Libya to reach Egypt, ultimately attempting to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
According to organizers, the convoy comprises approximately 165 vehicles and buses, carrying nearly 2,000 Tunisian and Algerian nationals who have joined the campaign. The convoy is expected to arrive at the Libyan-Egyptian border and proceed toward the Rafah crossing by Sunday, June 15, 2025.
However, the mission faces significant uncertainty. As reported by Asharq Al-Awsat, informed Egyptian sources revealed that the convoy presents serious logistical and security challenges. They explained that “entry into Egypt from abroad requires prior visas, and the presence of a large group of individuals with unknown affiliations and motives poses complications for national security.” Additionally, escorting such a sizable group across the country—over 700 kilometers from Egypt’s western border to its eastern frontier with Gaza—is a major concern for security services.
The sources emphasized that no final decision had yet been made regarding how to handle the convoy, given the political and regional sensitivity of the situation. However, they raised the possibility that the group may be denied entry altogether, stating: “The organizers are fully aware that the crossings into Gaza are closed, and that Israel will not permit passage without coordination. This raises questions about the convoy’s true objectives.”
A similar scenario unfolded during the early stages of Israel’s retaliation against Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Though Egypt prepared aid for Gaza, Israeli airstrikes repeatedly targeted the Rafah border crossing, sending a clear message that no aid or personnel would be allowed through without prior Israeli approval and coordination with the IDF.