Thunberg Detained in Flotilla Raid

Katie Jenny

Staff Writer

A recent flotilla, the Global Sumad Flotilla, was sent to Gaza to set sail in late August. Flotillas are used to send goods to Gaza because Israel has control over Gaza’s international transportation system. In total, there were over 50 ships from 6 continents and more than 500 people on board.

Flotillas are not a new concept; there have been boats sent as far back as 2008. The 2008 Mission was the first boat to get through Israel’s borders.

The 2008 Mission sailed out from Spain on Aug. 31. While heading to its first stop in Tunisia, it was attacked by drones. The ships left from Tunisia between Sept. 13 and Sept. 15 and were attacked again on Sept. 23.

While the Flotilla was heading to Gaza, it was intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The people on board the ships were taken prisoner by the Israeli government. The supplies were taken as well.

One of the prisoners was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Thunberg claimed she was starved and dehydrated while imprisoned, according to the Guardian. She was deported to Greece on Oct. 7, and other activists were sent to Turkey on October 4.

One of the people sent to Turkey, activist Semanur Sonmez Yaman, claimed that she and other Muslim women had their hijabs forcibly removed, according to The Nation. Currently, all the members of the Flotilla have been released from Israeli prison.