Fellow Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg just set out on a pretty extraordinary mission. She was part of a 12-person crew who sailed the vessel Madleen to deliver much-needed relief supplies to Gaza. The crew departed from the bustling port of Catania on Sunday, marking the start of a thrilling seven-day journey. Among them are Irish actor Liam Cunningham and Franco-Palestinian MEPS Rima Hassan.
The campaign aims to pressure Israel to end its current blockade of Gaza. This alarming state of affairs has come under mounting criticism as the Israel-Palestine combustion intensifies. Thunberg ships out with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) as part of a non-violent, direct action campaign. This public involvement is a big step of political growth for her, going past climate activism alone. This mission was organized in direct response to a recent attack. A second vessel, the Conscience, also operated by the same group, was struck by two drones attacking.
As the young sailors prepared to depart, Thunberg addressed a news conference, saying they know how urgent this journey must be. Lastly, she highlighted the moral imperative informing their work.
“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,” – Greta Thunberg.
The crew understands that their delivery is largely symbolic and limited in supplies. Yet, they are undaunted in their purpose. Through the supplies, victims of the siege will be highlighted. They aim to raise international awareness of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The severity of their purpose is further emphasized by Thunberg’s comment on the hazards that come with it. She went on to argue that facing these kinds of dangers deepening the context of pain is essential, given the broader picture of woes.
“No matter how dangerous this mission is, it is nowhere near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the lives being genocided,” – Greta Thunberg.
The crew’s upcoming voyage lays the groundwork for an even larger initiative. They’ve threatened to mount a mass protest at the Rafah crossing in mid-June, raising the volume on already-urgent calls for breaking what they term Israel’s illegal siege and increasingly murderous war crimes. The FFC is indeed on a mission. They are using the tools of democratic governance to stand up against the erosions of democracy and perceived injustices, not merely providing charity.
