Snap protest called in Brisbane after Freedom Flotilla ship intercepted

Large crowds are expected to gather in the middle of Brisbane tonight in response to Israeli forces storming a Freedom Flotilla vessel as it headed for Gaza.

Protestors outside the Prime Minister's Marrickville electoral office in Sydney on Monday. A snap protest has also been called for Brisbane. Picture: John Appleyard

Large crowds are expected to gather at King George Square in Brisbane at 6pm on Monday evening in response to Israeli forces storming a Freedom Flotilla vessel as it headed for Gaza.

The snap protest has been called by Students for Palestine, urging for the Israeli military to immediately release the 12 activists.

Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg, was one of those aboard the vessel Madleen en route to Gaza to deliver humanitarian cargo when it was intercepted by the Israeli military.

A video published Monday morning on Ms Thunberg’s Instagram account revealed the crew was “kidnapped” while attempting to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden. If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces or forces that support Israel,” Ms Thunberg said in the pre-recorded video.

Rallies have were held across Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide on Monday afternoon.

Students for Palestine co-conveners, Jasmine Duff and Bella Beiraghi, called for an immediate release of the crew members.

“The Madleen crew represent the hopes of all those who stand for humanity against the starvation and bombardment of Gazans, and they must be immediately released,” Ms Duff said.

“We call on Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong to immediately expel the Israeli ambassador, cut all military and economic ties with Israel, and pressure Israel to release the illegally kidnapped crew.”

“After months of deliberately starving those in Gaza, Israel has illegally taken 12 anti-war activists hostage, including Greta Thunberg. This kidnapping is an attempt to cover up Israel’s crimes against humanity, shows Israel’s willingness to violently suppress all those who oppose their genocide. The Madleen crew must be immediately released,” Ms Beiraghi said.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday confirmed that Israeli authorities intercepted the Madleen.

The Ministry said the Navy had directed the boat to change course as it approached “a restricted area”.

About an hour later, it said the boat was being towed to Israeli shores.

“The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” the ministry wrote on social media.

“The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,” the ministry added.

- additional reporting by Maria Bervanakis

Originally published as Snap protest called in Brisbane after Freedom Flotilla ship intercepted