Greta Thunberg’s Gaza Voyage Draws Heat From Critics

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is sailing straight into controversy—literally. The 22-year-old is joining a humanitarian mission to Gaza aboard the vessel “Madleen,” operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), to deliver aid and protest Israel’s blockade of the war-torn strip, Al Jazeera reported.

“The world cannot be silent bystanders,” Thunberg said about the mission. “We are seeing a systematic starvation of 2 million people. Every single one of us has a moral obligation to do everything we can to fight for a free Palestine.”

Former Climate change activist Greta Thunberg is sailing to Gaza in protest against Israel’s operation

She went from supporting the environment to supporting terrorist organizations.

Wonder if Hamas will give them a warm welcome? pic.twitter.com/gpM3XzSNVv

— Frankie™️🦅 (@B7frankH) May 31, 2025

The World Health Organization has issued urgent warnings about Gaza facing famine conditions, with three-quarters of its population facing food insecurity. (RELATED: World Health Organization Posts Video Depicting Gaza As A Land Of Teddy Bears And Balloons)

Meet some of the panelists, volunteers and supporters joining the launch of ‘Madleen’ in Catania, Sicily about to sail to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza. ⛵️#AllEyesOnDeck #BreakTheSiege https://t.co/ZoCnr45S3I @RimaHas pic.twitter.com/IqAhOSHBv9

— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) May 29, 2025

But Thunberg’s involvement has drawn scorn. Critics say the move aligns her with Hamas, the terror group in control of Gaza, and accuse her of virtue signaling. “She’s sailing to Gaza like it’s some sort of idyllic holiday destination,” said Sky News Australia host Danica De Giorgio, the New York Post reported. Communications consultant Prue MacSween added, “She’s such an urban terrorist herself, she’ll fit right in.”

Online users echoed those sentiments. “Let’s hope it’s a one-way voyage,” one wrote.

The mission follows a previous failed FFC voyage in May, when another vessel was allegedly struck by a drone attack off Malta. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

Thunberg, who was previously arrested during an anti-Israel protest, faced backlash in October for failing to initially condemn Hamas’s massacre of Israeli civilians before later clarifying her stance.