Israel National News June 2, 2025
U.S. Senator mocks Gaza flotilla: 'Hope Greta and her friends can swim!' Hope not
Senator Lindsey Graham ridicules activist voyage aimed at challenging Israeli blockade of Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) issued a caustic remark directed at Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and her fellow campaigners aboard a vessel attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Publicity stunt

The South Carolina senator quipped, referring to the Freedom Flotilla vessel Madleen, which departed the Sicilian port of Catania on Sunday
"Hope Greta and her friends can swim!"

The ship is carrying Thunberg and 11 other activists as part of a mission to "break Israel's siege" of Gaza, according to organizers cited by The Associated Press.

The activists, including "Game of Thrones" actor Liam Cunningham and French MEP Rima Hassan, are aiming to deliver aid and draw international attention to what they describe as a humanitarian crisis in the Hamas-controlled enclave.

Hassan has previously been barred from entering Israel due to her anti-Israel activism.

Before departure, Thunberg claimed the mission was a stand against what she termed the "live-streamed genocide" in Gaza. "We have to keep trying.

Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity," she told reporters. "And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it's not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world." Then why the October 7 silence

The voyage comes weeks after another Freedom Flotilla vessel, the "Conscience," was reportedly damaged by drones in international waters off Malta.
The group accused Israel of being behind the attack.