Necva Tastan Sevinc
10 June 2025•Update: 10 June 2025
ISRAEL
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg accused Israel of violating international law following her deportation on Tuesday after attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea.
Speaking at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, where she arrived before heading to Sweden, Thunberg said she had been “kidnapped” by Israeli forces in international waters.
"They did an illegal act by kidnapping us on international waters and against our will bringing us to Israel, keeping us in the bottom of the boat, not letting us getting out, and so on," she told reporters.
The 22-year-old was aboard the Madleen, a vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which was intercepted by Israeli naval forces approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Gaza early Monday.
The boat was carrying humanitarian aid and aimed to protest what activists describe as an "ongoing genocide" and "orchestrated famine" in Gaza.
"The real story is that there is a genocide going on in Gaza, and a systematic starvation following a siege and blockade now ... food, medicine water are desperately needed ... ."
Asked about the viral image of her receiving a sandwich from an Israeli soldier, Thunberg called it a "a PR stunt."
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed her deportation, saying she had been flown to France and would continue on to Sweden. The ministry posted a photo of Thunberg on a plane, despite her known stance against air travel for climate reasons.
Israeli authorities maintain the naval blockade on Gaza is legal, rejecting accusations of violating international law.
French Ambassador to Israel Joshua Zarka said on Monday the boat was intercepted in Israeli waters.
While Thunberg and two others, including a journalist, were deported, eight other activists, including French MEP Rima Hassan, remain in Israeli detention. Four of them are expected to appear before a judge, according to Israeli authorities.
"I am very much calling for their immediate release," Thunberg said, adding that access to legal representation for the detainees was limited. "I am very worried about them."
She urged for humanitarian aid to be let in to Gaza, as well as a ceasefire and end to the "occupation" and "systemic oppression and violence that the Palestinians are facing on an everyday basis."
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, said the detention was "unlawful, politically motivated, and a direct violation of international law."
The group called on Israel to release the remaining passengers without deportation and allow them to continue their journey to Gaza.
Sabine Haddad, a spokesperson for Israel’s Interior Ministry, said the deported activists had waived their right to appear before a judge, while others would remain in detention for up to 96 hours before a decision is made.
