‘Madelin’ ship sets sail to break Gaza blockade
ROME, June 02 (YPA) -The sailboat ” Madelin,” affiliated with the ” Freedom Flotilla” coalition, has departed from the port of Catania in southern Italy heading toward the Gaza Strip in a symbolic move to break the blockade.
The 18-meter-long vessel, carrying 12 international activists-including Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham-began its journey to challenge what organizers describe as Israel’s illegal blockade of over2.4million Palestinians in Gaza.
Before departure, crowds gathered at Catania’s port waving Palestinian flags in solidarity with the humanitarian mission.
Thunberg stated: “We are on a civilian mission to symbolically break Gaza’s siege. If any humanity remains, we must fight for Palestine-I am here because it is my duty.”
In a statement about the “Madelin’s” mission, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said, “Madelin is sailing for Gaza, carrying powdered milk, medical supplies, and other vital aid. It aims to reach Palestinian waters by transiting European territorial waters and then exclusively through international waters. This unarmed and non-violent journey fully complies with international law. Any attack or interference would constitute a deliberate and unlawful act against civilians.”
Madelin is expected to reach the shores of Gaza after a journey of approximately one week.
@E.Y.M