Sweden has declined to provide assistance to climate activist Greta Thunberg following her detention by Israeli commandos who intercepted a humanitarian vessel bound for Gaza carrying the Swedish environmental campaigner.
Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, stated Monday that she does not believe Thunberg requires government support after the activist urged her social media followers to pressure Swedish authorities into taking action on her behalf.
Speaking outside the Swedish parliament as protesters demanded government intervention, Stenergard emphasized the responsibility of individuals who choose to travel against official advisories to dangerous locations.
The minister expressed concern that Thunberg’s public appeal had overwhelmed the consular emergency hotline with calls, creating lengthy wait times for Swedish citizens genuinely requiring assistance abroad.
“It is quite dangerous to run a campaign that means that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ consular hotline is called down,” Stenergard said.
“The consequence is that Swedes in need abroad have to wait in line for far too long.”
While indicating she did not consider Thunberg to be in immediate danger, Stenergard assured that consular support would be provided if needed, consistent with Sweden’s obligations to all its citizens overseas.
Israeli authorities have confirmed that all passengers aboard the charity vessel remain safe and unharmed, with the foreign ministry indicating expectations that the activists will return to their respective home countries.
Demonstrators in multiple countries have called on governments of the 12 crew members to intervene after the activists claimed they were intercepted and detained in international waters approximately 100 miles from Gaza’s coastline.
In London, protesters gathered outside Foreign Office headquarters in Whitehall demanding protection for the crew of the British-flagged vessel.
One demonstrator displayed a sign reading “Israel attacks UK boat. UK does nothing.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the voyage from Italy to highlight Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, reported that their ship came under assault in the Mediterranean Sea during the night.
The vessel Madleen was tracked by speedboats and drones before being surrounded by quadcopters that sprayed the ship with an unidentified “white irritant substance” prior to the military seizure, according to the coalition’s account.
Photographs from the incident show the charity vessel’s deck covered with white liquid.
Activist Yasmin Acar, among those detained, reported that the substance deployed by Israeli forces was affecting her eyes.
The coalition documented on social media that communications were jammed and disturbing sounds were broadcast over the radio during the confrontation.
Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, told media outlets that crew members reported burning sensations in their eyes from the chemical substance, though its exact composition remains unknown.
Israeli forces executed what they termed a “forcible interception” of the British-flagged vessel at 3:02 AM local time, occurring approximately 100 miles from Gaza’s coast according to Freedom Flotilla Coalition statements.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the naval blockade as necessary to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza by militant groups, congratulating military forces on their swift and secure takeover of the humanitarian vessel.
Following the vessel’s diversion, Israel’s foreign ministry released photographs showing the activists wearing orange life jackets while being offered water and sandwiches by Israeli personnel.
Katz announced that the crew would be transported to Israel’s Port of Ashdod where they would be shown video footage of Hamas’s October 7 attacks, stating it was appropriate for them to witness the atrocities committed against Israeli civilians.
The footage reportedly contains 43 minutes of uncensored material showing massacres and mutilated bodies from the Hamas assault, according to Israeli media reports.
Israeli officials dismissed what they characterized as a “selfie yacht” carrying celebrity activists, announcing that humanitarian supplies aboard would be transferred to Gaza through established official channels.
The 12 activists had departed Italy on June 1 with the stated goal of raising awareness about food shortages in Gaza, which United Nations officials have designated as the world’s hungriest location after 21 months of warfare.
UN agencies have warned that Gaza’s entire population faces famine risk, while the Israeli government had vowed to prevent the unauthorized vessel from breaching the naval blockade and urged it to turn back.
After losing contact with the ship, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition released pre-recorded messages from crew members, including Thunberg’s statement.
“If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel,” the activist said.
The coalition accused Israel of acting with complete impunity and reported that cargo including baby formula, food, and medical supplies had been confiscated by Israeli forces.
International criticism has mounted over the detention of activists in international waters, with UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese calling on the British government to seek immediate clarification and secure the vessel’s release.
Multiple countries have responded diplomatically, with Spain summoning Israel’s diplomatic representative, France working to facilitate the return of six French nationals, and Turkey condemning what it termed a “heinous attack” violating international law.
The post Sweden Snubs Greta Thunberg’s Astonishing Plea After She’s ‘Kidnapped,’ Gaza-Bound Flotilla is Seized and Sprayed by ‘Irritant Substance’ appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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