Greta Thunberg gets deported by Israeli authorities
(MENAFN) Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been deported from Israel after being detained aboard a Gaza-bound civilian vessel intercepted by the Israeli Navy. Thunberg and three other activists were flown out of the country early Tuesday, shortly after their boat was diverted to the port of Ashdod.
Israeli authorities stated that the four voluntarily agreed to leave, while eight others who refused deportation were sent to a detention center. Those still in custody may face forced removal after 96 hours. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, had anticipated such a response.
Images from Israel’s Foreign Ministry appeared to show Thunberg boarding a flight at Ben Gurion Airport, reportedly heading to Sweden via France.
The vessel, named Madleen and mockingly dubbed the “selfie yacht” by Israeli officials, was intercepted in international waters on Monday. Passengers included French MEP Rima Hassan and Irish actor Liam Cunningham. No injuries were reported during the operation, a contrast to the 2010 flotilla raid in which ten activists were killed.
The flotilla aimed to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007. The interception came amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which began after a Hamas-led attack in October 2023. Critics have condemned Israel’s actions as excessively violent, with some accusing it of genocide.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed authorities attempted to show detainees a documentary about the Hamas assault, which they refused to watch. Katz labeled the group “anti-Semitic” and accused them of ignoring Hamas’ role in the conflict.
Thunberg, who rose to international fame for her climate activism, has recently voiced strong support for Palestinians. She urged the Swedish government to condemn what she described as the “kidnapping” of the vessel's passengers. However, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the activists were safe in Israeli custody and did not need intervention.
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