Thunberg stopped on Madleen: Israel refuses to help humanitarian help!

Thunberg stopped on Madleen: Israel refuses to help humanitarian help!

In a dramatic incident, the ship "Madleen", which was transported by humanitarian aid goods and was occupied by the well -known climate activist Greta Thunberg and other activists, was stopped shortly before the Gaza Strip from the Israeli Navy. The interception takes place in a context in which the humanitarian location in the Gaza Strip is critical, with over 2,400 Palestinians already killed and the population has been dependent on urgently needed help. Israeli soldiers dragged the ship to the coast and the passengers were supplied with water bottles and sandwiches. The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem confirmed that everyone was well and unharmed. Nevertheless, one spoke of a kidnapping of the activists, among whom was also controversial political personalities, one of whom described a Hezbollah boss as "martyr".

The incident occurred at a time when the UN Israel called to protect the civilians in the Gaza Strip, while more than one million Palestinians were called for evacuation. Israel continues to carry out bombing, which is considered impossible, given the dense settlement of the area. Israel explained that the activists followed a political agenda with their goal of breaking the blockade. An Instagram statement of the passengers criticized the procedure of the Israeli army, which was considered disproportionate and against humanitarian principles. This protest was dismissed by many as a pure propaganda that does not provide real help for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

methods of interception

Before the boarding campaign, Israeli military leadership used drones that turn off an unknown "white lovely substance" to the ship. Eyewitnesses reported that the crew had burning eyes after the incident. The military spokesman said that all measures were necessary to secure the blockade. Israel Katz, the Israeli Minister of Defense, praised the armed forces for their successful intervention. According to reports, the activists should see a video clip on the Hamas attacks after they arrived in Ashdod before they are deported.

The international community reacted concerned. The UN special rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian area called for the immediate release of the activists and warned other ships to attack the blockade. The incident has attracted the attention of many human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, whose program director Sari Bashi denounced the tense situation in the Gaza Strip as one of the worst humanitarian crises.

the humanitarian context

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened in the past 16 years, with an unemployment rate of almost 50 % and 80 % of the population, which is dependent on humanitarian aid. Bashi emphasizes that the Israeli military reaction to Hamas' attacks can be classified as unprecedented because it blocked the supply of food, water and electricity. In addition, there is a concern that massive evacuation of the civilian population is not feasible, since many people have no safe escape route. The current conditions of these operations raise serious questions about compliance with humanitarian principles, in particular the ban on collective penalties.

The tensions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip increase the likelihood of further violence and humanitarian crises in the region. In view of this, the campaign of the “Madleen” ship is a symbolic sign against the constant injustices and the critical situation that many people look for themselves in the Gaza Strip.