The Israeli Defense Forces intercepted Greta Thunberg’s “Selfie Yacht,” preventing its journey to Gaza with a small cargo of humanitarian aid. The vessel carrying Thunberg and 11 other activists was detained as Israeli authorities characterized the mission as a publicity stunt. Why did Israeli officials provide the activists with food and water?
Israel Intercepts “Selfie Yacht” Bound for Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces intercepted a vessel named Madleen carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other pro-Palestinian activists as they attempted to reach Gaza with humanitarian supplies. The boat, mockingly dubbed the “Selfie Yacht” by Israeli officials, was detained without incident as part of Israel’s ongoing maritime blockade of Gaza.
Israeli authorities shared video footage of the interception, showing naval officers instructing the boat to change course as it approached restricted waters. The activists claimed their communications were disrupted by signal-jamming technology, a common security measure near Israeli borders to prevent drone and rocket attacks.
Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists onboard the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ selfie yacht are being towed to Israel after being detained by the IDF; will be sent back home soon. They were given sandwiches and water after being detained. pic.twitter.com/xEk3cO5fqU
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 9, 2025
Activists Labeled as “Useful Idiots for Hamas”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry characterized the mission as “a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity” rather than a genuine humanitarian effort. Officials pointed out that the boat carried less than a single truckload of aid, in stark contrast to the over 1,200 aid trucks that entered Gaza from Israel in the previous two weeks.
In a pointed diplomatic gesture, Israeli forces provided the detained activists with food and water, including sandwiches, while mockingly declaring “the show is over.” The ministry stated that any remaining aid not consumed by the “celebrities” would be transferred to Gaza through established humanitarian channels.
The @IsraelMFA: “The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the “celebrities” will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels.” https://t.co/rnSDvDUtcn
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) June 9, 2025
Thunberg’s Shift from Climate to Political Activism
Greta Thunberg, once exclusively focused on climate activism, has increasingly aligned herself with pro-Palestinian causes and groups accused of antisemitism. The Swedish activist was joined by 11 others, including Irish actor Liam Cunningham of “Game of Thrones” fame and European Parliament member Rima Hassa, as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The Israeli Defense Minister instructed the IDF to show footage of the October 7 Hamas attacks to the flotilla participants before their expected deportation. Unlike the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, which resulted in violent confrontation, the Madleen was not carrying weapons, and the Israeli government plans to return Thunberg and her fellow passengers to their countries of origin.