Greta Thunberg Detained Again

Activist Greta Thunberg has been detained for the second time. The Israeli Navy intercepted the Samud flotilla, bringing much-needed supplies to Gaza. Reports had come in that drones with itching powder had been dropped on the flotilla. Other events happened, all blamed on Israel. Of course, Israel denied it, but who else could have done these things?

As parts of the flotilla were intercepted and boarded, members of the flotilla said they were rammed by Israeli vessels. It is also alleged that the Israeli Navy used water cannons on them. Other allegations are that distress signals were blocked by the Israeli Navy. Greta was handed a life jacket and a bottle of water, as were others. She and the others were taken to Israeli ports. 30 other ships of the Samud Flotilla were still being chased and detained today on the high seas of the Med by the Israeli Navy.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the flotilla was approaching an active combat zone as it approached the coast of Gaza. Also, that they were breaking a blockade zone that the Israeli Navy had set up to stop arms from reaching Hamas and other Gazan resistance/terrorist groups (depending on your view). The Turks condemned the actions of the Israeli Navy, as did the Irish. The Colombians, of all people, also criticised the actions of Israel upon the flotilla. Israel and Colombia had a free trade deal, but now, because of Israel's piracy/legal interception (depending on your view), that trade deal, from the point of view of the Colombians, is null and void.

Greta Thunberg is best known for her environmental activism. She has become involved in the plight of Palestinians. As stated earlier, this is her second voyage on a flotilla bringing aid to Gaza. The first time her ship was boarded, she was given a bottle of water and a life jacket. She was transferred to an Israeli naval vessel and taken to an Israeli port. She was then detained for a short time and put on a plane bound for Sweden.

So what will befall Ms. Thunberg now, and the others captured and detained by Israel? Will the Israelis not look too kindly on her second misadventure aboard an aid flotilla? Will they hold her longer this time? Will she go to court and be imprisoned by the Israelis? How will Sweden react to one of their citizens being held?

The Trump administration, which is extremely pro-Israel, will applaud the actions of the Israeli Navy. But at the same time, they will be telling the Israelis to release Greta and the other detainees. Britain, France, and Germany will also be privately telling/asking (dependent on your view) the Israelis to let Greta and others go. The flotilla crew are made up of different nationalities, most of whom will be celebs. Which is why the Israelis cynically called the flotilla "selfie yachts". I can see why the Israelis would say that, as many celebs do these things to look good. That said, sometimes celebs need to get involved with issues, whether they care or not, as it highlights important issues.

Italy and Spain sent warships to protect the flotilla from Israeli actions. However, neither the Spaniards nor the Italians intervened to stop the actions of the Israeli Navy. The Italian Navy did tell the flotilla to steer- somewhere else. Say, Cyprus, where the aid could then be distributed to Gaza (really?). Or hand over the aid to the Italian Navy, where they could pass it on to be distributed (again, really?). It seems the Italians and Spanish didn't want to clash with the Israelis.