Remember the time when people were considered heroic and brave, or even humane for wanting to feed starving children? Well, as of now those days are long gone and instead are replaced with snide remarks and condemnation. Join me as I recount what actually happened on Greta Thunberg's trip to Gaza.

Image Credit: Kushal Das from WikiMedia Commons

On June 21st Greta Thunberg along with 12 other activists from an array of different countries such as France, Brazil, Sweden, etc. entered a boat called the Madleen to Gaza. This heroic journey was meant to serve as a protest against Israel’s cruel blockade, that breaks international law, on Gaza while delivering food aid there.

Image Credit: Maël BALLAND from Pexels

Activists aboard Madleen:

• Yasemin Acar: Germany
• Baptiste Andre: France
• Thiago Avila: Brazil
• Omar Faiad: France
• Rima Hassan: France
• Pascal Maurieras: France
• Yanis Mhamdi: France
• Suayb Ordu: Turkiye
• Greta Thunberg: Sweden
• Sergio Toribio: Spain
• Marco van Rennes: Netherlands
• Reva Viard: France

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A Disastrous Turn For The Worse

For two months, Israel has been banning food aid and other international aid into Gaza. This has led to starvation among the young Palestinians. The Madleen wanted to fight this injustice by delivering packages of food and baby formula to the starving civilians.

Image Credit: RDNE Stock project from Pexels

On June 9th, Israeli forces decided that it was illegal to feed starving babies children and kidnapped the activists on the Madleen boat in international waters; they were about 124-125 miles away from Gaza, mind you. All 12 activists were then taken into custody in Israel. After day one of being captured, 4 of the 12 activists were deported as they signed a waiver that claimed that they had “illegally” entered Israel.

The other activists have refused to sign papers that would accuse them of illegally entering Israel which caused them to have further remained in Israel. Later on, 6 more activists were released, however, 2 more activists Pascal Maurieras and Yanis Mhamdi are still detained in Israel.

Was It Legal?

Some argue that yes, Israel as an occupier of Palestine should be able to filter out aid that comes into Gaza, especially during armed conflict. However, others argue that, no, Israel was not allowed to kidnap the activists as they were sailing to Palestine not Israel. What a world we live in; apparently it's controversial to give starving kids food.

To settle this, let's ask a question: What is the worse scenario?

A. Illegally bomb and block aid for civilians

B. Promote false propaganda of the bombed civilians

C. "Illegally" give food aid to the bombed civilians

D. Illegally arrest people who tried to help the bombed civilians

I'll let you answer that question.

Image Credit: Yan Krukau from Pexels

What Does This Mean For Teen Activists?

If a small boat of widely recognized activists whose only goal was to protest against a blockade that was starving women, children, and babies was arrested, then that means that other activists are going to have a much harder time fighting injustices. Greta Thunberg is one of the, if not the most, famous activists in the world. If she was treated in such a shocking manner then it is and will be immensely difficult for activists in the future.

Image Credit: Kushal Das from WikiMedia Commons

Positives

There are numerous peaceful protests going on in the US. College students are constantly fighting for Palestinians refusing to back down. Even the members of the Madleen when before, during, and after being detained by Israeli forces still are protesting and fighting for Gaza's freedom. One of the Madleen activists actually wrote, "Free Palestine" on the prison walls according to Al Jazeera.

When you think about it this event actually empowers activists all over the world to keep fighting no matter what the circumstances they are in. While Madleen's goal to deliver food to Gaza ended up unachieved, the fact that 10 of the 12 activists are now safely home is a win on its own.

Image Credit: Life Matters from Pexels