Greta Thunberg deported, Israel says, after Gaza aid boat intercepted
Swedish Activist and Fellow Passengers Detained After Attempting to Break Blockade with Humanitarian Aid
Israel announced it has deported Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, a day after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Thunberg and 11 other activists in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that Thunberg left Tel Aviv on a flight to France early Tuesday morning after agreeing to the deportation.
French authorities reported that among the six French nationals detained alongside Thunberg, five refused to sign deportation orders and would face judicial proceedings as a result.
The activist group operating the yacht, The Madleen, under the banner of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), called for the immediate release of all those held by Israeli authorities.
Israeli forces intercepted the vessel on Monday morning as it attempted to deliver a small, symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza, challenging Israel’s maritime blockade and drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the territory.
Israel’s foreign ministry downplayed the mission, describing the boat as a “selfie yacht,” and stated via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the passengers had been transferred to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv after the vessel docked in Ashdod port later that evening.
The ministry warned that any detainees refusing to sign deportation documents would be brought before a judicial authority, in line with Israeli law, to authorize their removal from the country.
On Tuesday, the ministry posted a photo of Thunberg aboard a plane, confirming her departure from Israel en route to Sweden via France.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on X that the French consul had met with the six French nationals detained by Israel, confirming that one had agreed to voluntary departure while the other five would face forced deportation proceedings.
Though Barrot did not name the individuals, the six include Members of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, and journalists Omar Faiad from Qatar’s Al Jazeera, and Yanis Mhamdi from the online news outlet Blast, who were documenting the vessel’s journey, according to Reporters Without Borders.
Besides citizens from Sweden and France, the Madleen carried activists from Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkey.
The FFC confirmed in a statement that all twelve detainees had arrived safely in Ashdod and anticipated that those who refused deportation would be transferred to a detention center in Ramle near Tel Aviv.
The coalition demanded the immediate release of all volunteers and the return of confiscated humanitarian aid, describing the detainment as unlawful and a violation of international law.
Israel’s foreign ministry asserted that the humanitarian supplies onboard, including baby formula and medicines, would still be delivered to Gaza via official humanitarian channels.
According to the FFC, the Madleen was intercepted by Israeli military forces inside international waters approximately 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Gaza early Monday.
The group reported that the boat was surrounded by quadcopter drones, sprayed with a white irritant, and had its communication systems jammed.
Footage released by the coalition showed activists seated with their hands raised as Israeli forces boarded the vessel. A pre-recorded video of Thunberg circulated, in which she said: “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli occupational forces or forces supporting Israel.”
She urged friends, family, and allies to pressure the Swedish government to secure the release of all detainees.
The Israeli foreign ministry later stated all passengers were safe and unharmed, sharing video footage of troops providing food and water to the activists.
When The Madleen set sail from Italy on June 1, the FFC described the voyage as an effort to deliver humanitarian aid and support human rights defenders in defiance of what they called Israel’s “illegal and genocidal blockade.”
Israel dismissed the mission as a “gimmick” and insisted the maritime blockade complies with international law, labeling unauthorized attempts to breach it as dangerous and illegal, which undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.
On Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz defended the blockade as necessary to prevent weapon smuggling to Hamas.
Israel and Egypt have enforced a land, sea, and air blockade on Gaza since 2007, following Hamas’s takeover of the territory a year after winning legislative elections.
In early March this year, Israel halted all humanitarian and commercial shipments to Gaza and resumed a military offensive two weeks later, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
Israel said these measures were intended to pressure Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza. Meanwhile, the United Nations warned that Gaza’s population of 2.1 million faces catastrophic hunger due to severe shortages.
Three weeks ago, Israel escalated its offensive to gain full control over Gaza and partially eased the blockade to allow in limited food supplies.
The Israeli government now prioritizes aid distribution through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, supported by the US. However, the UN and other aid organizations refuse to cooperate with this system, citing breaches of humanitarian principles such as neutrality and independence.
The current conflict traces back 20 months to Israel’s military response to the unprecedented Hamas-led cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken.
Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 54,927 deaths within the territory.
Greta is such a badass, sending her and the detainees strength and light in this dark time.
Fascist Nazi fucks. Genocidal jews