Selfies, sandwiches and diplomacy: how Israel intercepted the Gaza flotilla without casualties or scandal
On Monday night, the Israeli Navy intercepted the yacht Madleen, which was heading to the Gaza Strip to break the blockade, without incident. Activists were on board, including climate activist Greta Thunberg. Unlike the bloody incident with the Mavi Marmara in 2010, this time the operation was quick, calm and with media support. This was reported by Ynet News.
In the footage released by the IDF spokesperson, Thunberg smiles and accepts a sandwich from the hands of an Israeli commando.
Photo: IDF
The operation was carried out by the elite Shayetet 13 unit in international waters. All the passengers – including citizens of France, Sweden, Turkey and other countries – were taken to Ashdod port and will be deported shortly.
Israel has positioned this operation as an exemplary response to a provocative but non-aggressive action. Information support was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Public Diplomacy Service and the army press service, emphasising that the event took place within the framework of international law.
“This was not an attack – it was a selfie route,” commented Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Mormorstein. “We have shown the world that this is a show, not a humanitarian mission.”
Turkey, however, strongly condemned Israel’s actions, calling them a “violation of international law” and “state terrorism”. At the same time, Iran and France are demanding explanations and the return of their citizens.
The key difference between this operation was the complete absence of violence and the active use of the media, including videos of sandwich distribution. Israel wanted to show the world that it had learnt from the Mavi Marmara tragedy.
The MFA’s post on Twitter closed the day with words:
“All the passengers on the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and have been given water and sandwiches. The show is over.”
