Greta Thunberg has rejected accusations of antisemitism as she embarks on her second flotilla to Gaza.
The 22-year-old and different activists are setting sail on the biggest flotilla to Gaza on Sunday, regardless of having been detained by Israeli forces and deported once they approached on a British-flagged yacht in June.
“It is not antisemitic to say that we should not be bombing people, that one should not be living in occupation, that everyone should have the right to live in freedom and dignity, no matter who you are,” she mentioned.
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Greta Thunberg is embarking on a flotilla to Gaza once more
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In June, Thunberg and others have been detained by the IDF on board a ship to Gaza
Earlier than the handfuls of boats carrying support embarks from Spain, the activists referred to as on governments to strain Israel to permit their flotilla by way of the naval blockade.
Israel imposed the blockade on Gaza since Hamas took management of the coastal enclave in 2007 and has scuppered quite a few makes an attempt to succeed in Gaza since, together with a 2010 boarding by its particular forces during which not less than 9 Turkish activists have been killed.
However Thunberg brushed issues concerning the risks of the journey apart, saying she was as an alternative anxious concerning the “silence of the world” in mild of what’s taking place in Gaza.
“I’m terrified to see that we seem to have lost all the humanity that we have, and there seems to be no compassion left in the world amongst the vast majority of people who are able to sit on the couch and watch the genocide unfold that I am terrified for,” she added.
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The brand new, larger flotilla, will set off from Spain on Sunday
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Greta Thunberg brushed issues concerning the risks of the journey apart
Israel has repeatedly denied claims of genocide and beforehand described the primary ship, Madlene, as “the selfie yacht”, dismissing the help ship as a propaganda stunt in help of Hamas.
Thunberg mentioned: “It’s important that by doing so, by continuing this blockade, Israel is violating international law. And what we are trying to do is to use our rights to sail on international waters and to deliver humanitarian aid, which Israel is not allowed to block from coming in.”
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Greta Thunberg aboard the Madlene on 2 June. Pic: Freedom Flotilla Coalition/Reuters
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The Madlene was intercepted earlier than reaching Gaza
The naval blockade has remained in place by way of conflicts, together with the present struggle, which started when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing greater than 1,200 folks and taking 251 hostages, in line with Israeli tallies.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive towards Hamas has since killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians, in line with the Hamas-run Gaza well being ministry – whereas elements of the Strip is affected by famine, in line with a worldwide starvation monitor.
In March, Israel additionally sealed off Gaza by land, not letting in provides for 3 months, claiming Hamas was diverting support.
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Palestinians wait to obtain meals from a charity kitchen. Pic: Reuters
Thunberg mentioned her message to Hamas can be that she does “not stand behind killing civilians”.
“But we translate that into reality and we’re seeing how many hundreds of thousands of people are dying in Gaza now, how many hundreds of thousands of people have been deprived [of] their dignity and justice and freedom by Israel,” she added.
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Sky Information’ Europe correspondent Siobhan Robbins interviewed Greta Thunberg in Spain
The IDF mentioned in its assertion: “Israel allows and facilitates the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the war, over two million tons of aid have been delivered to Gaza – approximately one ton of aid per person on average.
“The previous few months 9,000 support vehicles have entered by way of land crossings, as publicly reported.
“In recent weeks, approximately 300 aid trucks have entered daily, primarily carrying food, medical supplies, hygiene products, and other essential items according to needs identified by international organisations and the UN. Israel does not impose quantitative limits on aid trucks entering Gaza.
“A number of important measures have been applied to increase support quantity and facilitate assortment by the UN and worldwide organisations. Latest knowledge on support deliveries demonstrates Israel’s dedication to facilitating humanitarian help to Gaza.”
Thunberg, who’s amongst lots of of individuals from 44 nations on the flotilla, hopes their mission will convey symbolic support and assist open up a humanitarian hall to ship extra support.
She mentioned the activists’ aim is to ship “hope and solidarity to the people of Gaza, showing a clear signal that the world has not forgotten about you”.
