The Israeli Navy is expected to block a high-profile activist mission sailing to Gaza to challenge Israel’s blockade, should the boat near Israel’s territorial waters in the coming days.

Clashes aboard the Madleen, which was organized by the pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel Freedom Flotilla Coalition, would likely spark diplomatic outrage, with France and Britain reportedly monitoring the situation.

London has so far rejected Israeli requests to prevent the boat, flying under a UK flag, from reaching Israeli waters, an official in Jerusalem told The Times of Israel.

“They can act,” said the official, “but they say they only will if there is a safety risk.”

The UK asked Israel to ensure the safety of boat and its crew, said the official, calling the mission “the selfie flotilla.”

Among the 12 activists on the ship are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, Irish “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham, and Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian European Parliament member.

Hassan, one of six French citizens on board, was barred in February from entering Israel over her past statements supporting sanctions and armed struggle against the country.

Israeli defense officials told The Times of Israel that they are monitoring the boat’s route, as the activists take a detour to pick up Sudanese migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

Still, if the boat continues to Gaza, it will be intercepted by the Navy, the officials said. At its current pace, the Madleen would likely reach the Strip sometime over the weekend. The boat may be towed to the Ashdod port or left at sea, the Kan public broadcaster reported earlier this week.

Responding to a query, the IDF said it was “enforcing........

© The Times of Israel