Keir Starmer must fulfill his "legal obligation to prevent genocide," Greta Thunberg told CuriosityNews while traveling aboard an aid flotilla en route to Gaza.
The Swedish activist said there was a "significant lack of action from those who are legally required to intervene" under international law, and she criticized the UK prime minister ahead of a potential meeting with Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog.
In a message to Starmer, who has faced calls from members of his own party not to meet the Israeli leader this week, Thunberg stated: "The words we will use to describe those who side with historical injustice, supporting or committing war crimes, do not yet exist. But they will be used to condemn figures like [Starmer]."
She added that people globally are becoming more aware of the plight of Palestinians and refusing to "passively observe an unfolding atrocity."
"Ordinary citizens worldwide are taking action, but those with a legal duty to act are failing to do so," she said. "Those in power have a legal responsibility to prevent genocide and avoid backing oppressive regimes."
A spokesperson for Starmer declined to confirm whether he would meet Herzog, who was cited in a case before the International Court of Justice after he attributed blame for the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel to the "entire Palestinian population." The assault by Hamas-led militants resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages.
Thunberg is part of a group of hundreds on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The UN recently warned that civilians there are confronting "starvation, plain and simple."
This marks her second aid mission. In June, she and the rest of the 12-member crew of the Madleen were detained by Israeli forces in international waters just before their scheduled arrival in Gaza.
The flotilla, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition—which has dispatched aid ships to the region since 2008—seeks to transport food, infant formula, and medical supplies, as well as raise awareness about Gaza. Since the conflict began, at least 63,633 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces.
The mission carries risks, as past efforts have seen at least 10 activists killed and many others wounded.
Yasemin Acar, a German activist who was aboard the *Madleen* with Thunberg and is participating in the current mission, said, "Many may call this a suicide mission, that we are walking into danger—and that’s true. We see what is being done to Palestinians."
"But the real question is: Why should we fear for our lives when we are bringing only humanitarian aid to people suffering from deliberate starvation, a crisis supported by numerous governments worldwide?"
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