GOOD Statement by Brett Herron ,
GOOD Secretary-General
09 June 2025
The capture and deportation of climate activist Greta Thunberg and those aboard the aid yacht “Madleen” may have unintentionally done more to draw global attention to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza than if they had been allowed to enter.
Thunberg’s act of solidarity is a powerful reminder that the blockade of Gaza is not just a regional issue, but a moral and legal stain on the conscience of the international community. Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has reportedly instructed that the flotilla passengers be shown footage of the October 7 massacre, as if the horror of one day can justify the unrelenting horror that has followed.
The use of starvation as a weapon, the targeting of aid workers, the destruction of infrastructure, and the ongoing slaughter of tens of thousands, most of them women and children, cannot be justified by any standard of law or humanity. The inhumane blockade that Thunberg sought to challenge is a crime against the people of Gaza and an indictment of the international community’s failure to act. National leaders around the world have been silent in the face of systematic state violence. Their lack of response exposes a dangerous double standard in the application of human rights and international law.
South Africa’s firm stand, including its application to the International Court of Justice, is consistent with our history, our values, and our responsibility to speak out against crimes against humanity. The GOOD Party reaffirms its support for that application and joins those across the globe who reject occupation, oppression, and the deliberate targeting of civilians.
This is not about religion or identity. It is about humanity, justice, and the enforcement of international law.
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