Istanbul: An activist from Trkiye aboard the Madleen vessel, which is en route to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, has declared that he will remain peaceful in the face of any possible Israeli intervention. Suayb Ordu, in a video posted on his Instagram account, emphasized his commitment to non-resistance, even under threat of death.
According to Anadolu Agency, Ordu addressed media reports suggesting that Israel might intervene against the Madleen. He stated, "If any harm comes to me, if they kill me, and they cannot prove it with visual evidence, let it be known that I took no action. Even if they point a gun to my head and shoot, I will not raise a hand. I won't say a word, I won't even look them in the eye." Ordu further highlighted the peaceful nature of the mission and his respect for the safety of his fellow passengers.
Citing reports of potential Israeli actions, Ordu expressed concerns that the Israeli army might attempt to raid the vessel, deport the activists, and open fire if there is any resistance. He suggested that he, being Turkish, could be targeted as a 'scapegoat' to justify any aggression. "At this point, I challenge Israel-if they have the courage-to come aboard with cameras and record the raid. Let them share it with the world," he implored.
Ordu outlined the group's intended peaceful response should a raid occur: "If they come to raid this boat, we will put on our life jackets, sit down with our hands empty, and wait. We will not take any provocative action. We will not react in any way. If they harm any of us despite this, know that they are lying."
The Madleen carries a total of 12 individuals, including 11 activists and one journalist. Notable passengers include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, and journalist Omar Faiad from Al Jazeera Mubasher.
This mission is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a civil initiative aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. The 18-meter-long Madleen departed from Porto di San Giovanni li Cuti in Catania, Italy, on June 1.
Previously, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had threatened the Freedom Flotilla, instructing the Israeli military to take whatever measures necessary to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza. Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin confirmed preparations to act against the aid boat, which aims to assist Palestinians in Gaza suffering under Israeli bombardment.
An earlier mission by the Freedom Flotilla Foundation, known as the Conscience ship, was attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles off the coast of Malta on May 2, underscoring the risks involved in these humanitarian efforts.