Lessons from the ‘Freedom Flotilla’
This week, a flotilla was intercepted by Israeli soldiers as it came within 100 miles of Gaza’s shores. The small vessel held about 1000 pounds of aid intended for Gaza’s residents. Onboard were a dozen pro-Palestinian activists from countries including France, Turkey, Spain, and, most notably, Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, internationally known for her climate activism.
This week’s Parashat Be’ha’alotecha tells of another group of activists. They approached Moshe, requesting another chance to perform the mitzvah of the Passover sacrifice. Moshe asked them to wait while he consulted God — and they complied. Ultimately, they were granted the second chance they sought.
Jewish history recognizes, and at times even embraces, activism. “Activism is the effort to influence the system from outside it,” writes Amotz Asa-El in Sapir Journal. “That surely includes the dissent, agitation, and general spirit of political rebellion with which Hebrew mythology is rife.”
The activists aboard the Madleen Flotilla may have gained notoriety, but they achieved little beyond publicity. They did not contribute to meaningful political discourse, alleviate the suffering of starving children, or end the war in Gaza. Contrast this with the biblical activists for Pesach Sheni, whose efforts bore fruit — not only for themselves but for generations to come.
Activism succeeds, as this parasha illustrates — but only when it transcends mere performance.
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A few parshiyot later, we meet another Jewish activist who meets an untimely end: Korach. From his very introduction, it’s clear he represents the kind of activism our tradition rejects. Vayikach Korach, the text reads, and Korach took.
What did he take? Our scholars ask — and answer: he took followers; he took a side of the camp to sow division; he took action to rise up. The verb vayikach captures something essential about Korach’s nature: he was driven by self-interest and acquisition — even as he framed himself as an activist.
The activists of Parashat Be’ha’alotecha are not accused of this. On the contrary, they are identified with a different verb: vayikrivu — and they came close. They sought an authentic connection with God. They trusted Moshe to advocate for them, stood by patiently, and received the answer they desired: another opportunity to bring the Passover sacrifice.
The Madleen Flotilla did not “come close.” It took. It aimed to provoke media attention and incite reaction. Its passengers filmed accusations of kidnapping before being intercepted. There is reason to believe they hoped to spark an international incident.
There was no good faith on that flotilla.
Still, when it was intercepted and photos of the detained passengers circulated online, I did not feel smug. Instead, I felt disappointed by the performative activism we have seen repeatedly throughout this conflict.
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At the flotilla’s launch from an Italian port, Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham introduced its mission:
For me, this attack, this genocide, is not just on Palestinians. It is on the whole human race. These wonderful, brave people who are setting off on this boat, they are heroes. And also, the people of Gaza for the last 600 days are heroes. They are — in my mind, they will always be heroes.
It’s not just activism. It’s “heroism” now. Posting selfies and videos to an audience already aligned against Israel’s so-called “genocide.” Loading a boat with 1,000 pounds of food rather than donating funds to regional charities actively working on the ground. Co-opting the term “hostages” while Israeli hostages have been held in Gaza for over 600 days. Refusing to watch videos of the atrocities of October 7th. Positioning themselves as “victims” of Israel instead of amplifying authentic Palestinian voices and suffering.
The true victims and heroes of this war remain unheard. But this time, that silence cannot be blamed on Israel — it can only be attributed to the facile, performative efforts of the Madleen Flotilla.
