Swedish boat to make journey of solidarity to Israel

After boat flying Swedish flag tried to break the Gaza blockade, Swedish businessman Stefan Abrahamsson wants to show a different kind of Sweden, planning to sail to Israel on August 25 to show his support for the Jewish state.

Itamar Eichner|Published: 08.11.18 , 13:58

Late last month, the Israeli Navy stopped a boat flying the Swedish flag that tried to break the blockade over the Gaza Strip, arresting 12 foreign nationals on board. In an effort to show a different Sweden, Swedish businessman Stefan Abrahamsson, a devout Christian who considers himself an Israel supporter, has decided to sail his own boat to express solidarity with Israel.

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Abrahamsson is the owner of the Elida, a 40-meter-long sailboat, which he intends to sail from Sweden to Israel along with 30-40 crewmen, most of them young Israeli supporters.

The boat will set sail on August 25, and after several stops along the way it is expected to reach the Herzliya Port on October 11, staying there until October 22.

The Elida (Photo: Stefan Abrahamsson)

"The goal of the journey is to show solidarity with Israel and the desire to show a different kind of Sweden," he said. "Another goal is to help break the Swedish media blockade around two key issues in the Middle East: the difficult persecution and purge of the Christian population throughout the region, and the fact Israel is the only democracy in a sea of dictatorships."

Stefan Abrahamsson (Photo: Stefan Abrahamsson)

Abrahamsson called on others to join him on his journey to Israel. He said he intends to open his boat to Israeli visitors when he arrives in Herzliya, and asked for help from Israel's Ambassador to Sweden, Ilan Ben-Dov, to secure a place to dock at the Herzliya Marina.

"We want to host as many Israelis as possible on board," he said, promising light refreshments and Swedish music.

Ben-Dov promised Israel would examine the possibility of holding a media-covered reception at the Herzliya Marina.

The Elida flying the Israeli flag (Photo: Stefan Abrahamsson)

This isn't the first time Abrahamsson campaigns for Israel. Last month, during the most important political conference in Sweden—attended by the Swedish prime minister, his government and other political parties—Abrahamsson docked his boat at a central spot, flying the Israeli flag.

Abrahamsson also invited Ambassador Ilan Ben-Dov to give three lectures on Israel. The boat was eventually seen by thousands of participants in the conference, which was held at the Swedish island of Gotland over the course of five days.