Archive image of Activist Greta Thunberg demonstrating in Stockholm. Fridays for Future Climate striking. Credit: Liv Oeian, Shutterstock.
Floating for Freedom — climate crusader Greta Thunberg is sailing towards Gaza to stop the war.
The environmentalist super-star has traded protest placards for open waters, joining a daring mission to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza. And yes, this is true.
The 21-year-old Swedish activist, famous for wagging fingers at world leaders and commanding the UN’s attention with her trademark glare, is now steering into geopolitical storm waters — literally. Thunberg and a ragtag crew of eleven activists — including Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan — set sail from the Sicilian port of Catania aboard the Madleen, a modest sailing vessel carrying not just aid, but a message.
“We have to keep trying — or we lose our humanity”
Before boarding the Madleen on Sunday, June 1, a visibly emotional Greta fought back tears as she addressed reporters.
“We do this because, no matter how hard it gets, we have to keep trying,” she said. “Because the moment we stop trying is the moment we lose our humanity. And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even close to how dangerous the world’s silence is in the face of live-streamed genocide.”
Strong words — and highly controversial — given the brutal reality of this war: civilians have been killed on both sides, with horror stories emerging from both Gaza and Israel. While many see Thunberg’s call as a moral stand againts Israel’s actions, critics have slammed her for what they say is a dangerously one-sided narrative.
US Senator Lindsey Graham couldn’t resist tossing in a jab from across the pond, quipping, “I hope Greta can swim,” in response to her Gaza-bound voyage — a cheeky comment that made waves online, though some felt it missed the mark.
Star-studded support — and a no-entry sign from Israel
Joining her on this high-stakes voyage is Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham — known to fans as the ever-loyal Davos Seaworth — and French MEP Rima Hassan, who’s been officially barred from entering Israel for slamming its bombardments in Gaza.
The trio aren’t heading for a red carpet or climate summit this time. They’re en route to one of the most contested and militarised strips of land on Earth — Gaza, where aid is scarce and politics deadlier than drones.
The flotilla’s goal? Deliver basic supplies like juice, milk, tinned goods, and protein bars, all donated by ordinary citizens. But let’s be honest — this voyage isn’t about calories. It’s about calling global attention to end a crisis that many say the world is watching in real-time… and doing nothing.
“Gaza can’t wait”: a flotilla with history and heart
Operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group that’s no stranger to headlines — or danger — the Madleen is the latest ship to challenge Israel’s naval cordon around Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.
Just last month, a separate ship in the same flotilla, the Conscience, was reportedly attacked by drones while still in international waters near Malta. Activists pointed the finger at Israel, though the country hasn’t confirmed or denied involvement. The boat was damaged and the mission was scrapped — until now.
This time, Thunberg is on the boat.
“We’re breaking the siege — by sea, and by land”
The sea voyage is only one front in what the activists call a global movement. Fellow organiser Thiago Ávila told reporters:
“We’re breaking the siege to Gaza by sea, but this is part of a broader strategy. There will also be a land mobilisation — the Global March to Gaza — with doctors, lawyers, and media professionals heading to Rafah to demand Israel ends the offensive and reopens the border.”
With over 54,000 people reportedly killed in Gaza since the conflict escalated, the humanitarian situation has spiralled into catastrophe. The UN now says that 100% of Gaza’s population faces the threat of famine — a statistic as shocking as it is heartbreaking.
Israel, for its part, strongly denies accusations of genocide, stating its military actions target Hamas militants, not civilians. But with widespread destruction and food blockades in place, the pressure on the international community is boiling over.
Greta’s second act: From teen climate striker to global dissident
It’s a bold new chapter for Thunberg, who rose to fame in 2018 when, at just 15, she began solo school strikes outside Sweden’s parliament. Diagnosed with Asperger’s, OCD, and selective mutism, Greta once described her conditions as a “superpower” that helps her focus with laser intensity.
Her small stature (just 5’4″ and around 7½ stone) belies a force-of-nature presence. Whether scolding presidents or sailing across the Atlantic in a zero-emissions yacht, Greta’s no stranger to conflict.
No fame, no fortune — just fury and focus
To be completely fair to Greta Thumberg, unlike celebrity activists who cash in on appearances, Greta doesn’t charge for speeches. She’s donated most of her award winnings — including the €1 million Gulbenkian Prize — to climate and humanitarian causes. Her estimated net worth in 2024 stands at around £1.6 million, according to Lauren Bruce’s 2024 biography, but the money’s never been the point.
As she put it bluntly in a past speech: ‘I don’t want your hope. I want you to panic.’
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