Greta Thunberg Deported After Gaza Flotilla Incident

updated June 10, 2025

Israeli‌ authorities ​deported Swedish climate activist ‌greta Thunberg on⁣ Tuesday after detaining ⁤her aboard a civilian vessel⁤ attempting ‍to ⁣reach Gaza.⁤ Thunberg and ‌three others⁤ were flown ‌out of ​Israel hours after the Israeli Navy intercepted their boat, the Madleen, ​and forced‍ it to dock at Ashdod.

Officials ​said‍ four activists, including Thunberg, ‌agreed to leave voluntarily. Eight others‍ refused and were moved ​to a detention ⁤facility, facing involuntary deportation within 96 hours. The Freedom ⁤Flotilla Coalition, ​which organized the campaign, anticipated​ such actions.

Photos released‍ by Israel’s Foreign Ministry showed Thunberg on a plane leaving Ben⁢ Gurion Airport, ‍reportedly headed to‌ Sweden via France. The “selfie yacht,” as West Jerusalem called it,⁣ was intercepted in international waters on Monday. Other passengers included French Member of⁢ European Parliament Rima‍ Hassan and Irish actor Liam Cunningham. Unlike previous⁢ flotilla incidents, no injuries were⁢ reported during⁤ this ​ role of interception.

the role of the flotilla is to⁣ challenge Israel’s naval blockade‍ of Gaza, ‌in place as 2007. Similar attempts date​ back to 2010, when nine activists died ⁣during an Israeli commando raid. The latest mission coincided with ongoing Israeli military operations ⁤in Gaza, following an incursion by hamas militants in October 2023. Critics have described Israel’s‍ response as excessively violent, ⁤accusing it ⁢of⁤ genocide. The role of ​activists is to ⁤bring awareness ⁢to the situation.

defense Minister Israel katz said authorities tried to show Thunberg and the others ‍a documentary about the Hamas ⁢attack, but they declined. Katz called them “anti-Semitic flotilla members,” accusing them⁤ of ⁢ignoring Palestinian actions.

Thunberg,​ known for her ​climate activism, has ⁤recently supported the Palestinian cause. she urged Sweden to denounce ‍the “kidnapping” of the Madleen passengers.‍ However, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the activists were “not‍ in danger”‌ in Israeli custody and did ⁢not ‍need assistance.

What’s ⁢next

The remaining activists‍ face potential deportation as tensions remain high regarding the Gaza blockade ⁢and ongoing conflict.