Activists reaching Gaza ask governments for safety upon arrival
05 de June de 2025
By Lucas Thiago – From Cenarium
MANAUS (AM) – Activists from seven countries are asking governments for help to ensure the Freedom Flotilla Coalition boat, carrying humanitarian aid, sails safely to Gaza. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, 22, boarded the ship Madleen last Sunday, the 1st. The trip aims to protest against Israeli actions in the Palestinian territory and to establish a humanitarian corridor for the region.
French deputy Rima Hassen, who is traveling alongside Greta and other activists, posted on social media a request for “protection” addressed to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and other heads of state due to drones that flew over the boat. Brazilian internationalist Thiago Ávila, who describes himself as an “activist” on social media, is also part of the group.
In a post on X on Tuesday, the 3rd, the European parliamentarian, a member of the left-wing party France Unbowed (LFI), mentioned the Brazilian president, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and other authorities from countries of which the boat’s crew members are citizens.
“We need your help to widely spread this message, identifying the leaders of the countries whose citizens are part of the crew and asking for protection,” wrote Rima Hassen. A surveillance drone was seen flying over the Madleen on Monday night, the 2nd. According to the coalition, the incident occurred 68 kilometers from Greek territorial waters.
The unmanned aircraft monitored the group of activists for about an hour and then disappeared. Brazilian Thiago Ávila detailed the situation: “At 11:02 pm, we confirmed a drone near us. We are 80 kilometers from Greece and 62 kilometers from Greek territorial waters,” the environmentalist said in a video posted on social media.
It is not yet known whether the drones are for reconnaissance, psychological operations, or attack. “We lost visual contact with the drone, which means it may have returned or turned off its lights,” he said.
The Freedom Flotilla Brazil page asks for financial support to assist the activists’ mission, in addition to calling for government advocacy and security for the mission participants. “It’s time for world governments to stand up! Demand that governments protect their civilians aboard the ‘Madleen’ and stop allowing Israel to commit more war crimes,” says a post on the page.
Expedition
In May this year, Thiago Ávila participated in another mission to Gaza aboard a ship that was hit by drones in international waters while sailing near the coast of Malta. The vessel did not reach its destination. From Brasília, Thiago Ávila is 38 years old and ran for federal deputy for Psol in the Federal District in 2022.
The boat, which departed Sicily on Sunday, the 1st, carries humanitarian aid, including powdered milk, diapers, flour, rice, sanitary products, water filters, and medical supplies. The expedition is part of an international effort organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza, a siege widely condemned by human rights groups and legal experts.
CENARIUM requested a statement from Itamaraty regarding the situation of the Brazilian involved in the mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, but so far there has been no response.