Ships That Carry Weapons For Our Enemy To Use On Us

 Nadene Goldfoot       

2010 Mavi Marmara Raid

    Mavi Marmara ship taken in 2012, 2 years after the boarding, now returned to Turkey.  In 2010, Israel explained that the blockade of the Gaza Strip, which began in 2007, was a legitimate security measure aimed at preventing weapons smuggling, stopping rocket attacks on Israeli territory, and pressuring Hamas after it seized control of the territory.  

The (do-gooders of the world) decided to destroy the blockade, were against Israel anyway, so worked against them They only saw Palestinians as the good guys, blind to Hamas to had taken over..   

In May 2010, the most violent incident occurred during an Israeli commando raid on the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla," which included the ship Mavi Marmara.Events: Israeli forces boarded the flotilla in international waters to enforce their blockade of Gaza. The raid on the Mavi Marmara resulted in violent clashes between activists and soldiers, leading to the deaths of eight Turkish citizens and one Turkish-American on board.  Aftermath and Trouble: The incident sparked widespread international outrage and condemnation. A UN report acknowledged that while attempts to breach a blockade put vessels at risk, it also urged caution in the use of force against civilian ships. Israel faced significant diplomatic fallout, particularly with Turkey.                                 

Palestine supporters on Mavi Marmarsa from Turkey:  Israel's justification for boarding the Mavi Marmara ship was based on the existence of a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, which the flotilla was attempting to breach. After boarding, Israel stated its forces faced organized, violent resistance and later presented evidence of weapons found on board. 

Israel has frequently intercepted humanitarian aid ships and flotillas bound for Gaza, actions that have drawn significant international condemnation and accusations of violating international law. They were expected to be carrying weapons for Israel's enemy, and Israel had notification of just such facts to be true. 

 Justification for the Boarding Naval Blockade: Israel maintained a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip for security reasons, specifically to prevent the smuggling of weapons by Hamas.    Warnings: The Israeli Navy issued multiple warnings to the flotilla via radio, ordering the ships to change course to the port of Ashdod for inspection.   Self-Defense: Israel claimed the activists on the Mavi Marmara initiated a violent confrontation, using clubs, metal rods, knives, and even some live ammunition against the commandos who were rappelling onto the ship's upper deck. Israel argued that the use of force was a necessary act of self-defense after the Israeli commandos were violently attacked and three were captured. 

In 2010, the Israeli military reported finding improvised and "cold" weapons (knives, clubs, slingshots, etc.) on the Mavi Marmara ship, which activists claimed were for self-defense after Israeli commandos boarded. A subsequent UN fact-finding mission found no evidence of firearms used by activists, but noted some bullet casings not consistent with IDF weapons were found. 

             The Global Sumud Flotilla vessels in mid-to-late 2025.   .                             

The Global Sumud Flotilla involved over 40 vessels carrying approximately 500 activists from dozens of countries in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza in September and October 2025. All 42 boats that reached the high-risk zone were intercepted by the Israeli navy. The flotilla, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and partners, set sail from ports in Spain and Italy, gathering more vessels in Tunisia and Greece before heading towards Gaza. The vessels carried symbolic amounts of humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies.  2025 Flotilla Interceptions (including Greta Thunberg).   More recently, throughout mid-to-late 2025, Israel intercepted several more aid ships that were part of the "Global Sumud Flotilla" and "Freedom Flotilla Coalition".  Israeli naval forces intercepted multiple vessels in international waters, including the Madleen in June 2025 and the Alma (among others) in October 2025. High-profile activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were on board. The activists were detained and subsequently deported from Israel.

The core vessels set sail from Spain on Sept. 1, heading east across the Mediterranean, and have been joined by boats from other countries along the way.  The flotilla includes larger vessels that are providing support and provisions for smaller boats.  Participants include high-profile activists such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, as well as members of Italy’s parliament and the European parliament. Organizers say delegates from 46 countries had committed to participating, with activists including military veterans, doctors, clergy and lawyers.The bulk of the flotilla was sailing south of the Greek island of Crete on Thursday, heading eastwards. Organizers said they expected to reach the Gaza area within a week.

• Aftermath and Trouble: The actions were again widely condemned by governments and NGOs as "piracy" and a "blatant violation of international law". Activists reported psychological mistreatment during detention. Israel maintained its actions were in accordance with international law to enforce a legal blockade and prevent aid from reaching Hamas. The incidents led to diplomatic tensions, including Colombia's President threatening to expel Israel's diplomatic delegation. 
• Second Attempt: Shortly after the Global Sumud Flotilla was stopped, another flotilla with 11 vessels made an attempt, and it was also intercepted by the Israeli military. 
• No, foreign ships did not successfully break the Israeli naval blockade
•  of the Gaza Strip in 2025. Multiple activist flotillas that attempted to
•  reach Gaza were intercepted by the Israeli military in international
•  waters.