Thunberg Deports: Activist Accuses Israel of ‘Kidnapping’
Aid Ship Intercepted Amid Gaza Crisis
Climate activist Greta Thunberg alleges she was unlawfully detained and deported by Israeli authorities after attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The incident highlights escalating tensions and restrictions surrounding aid access to the besieged territory.
Activist Details Interception
Upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, Thunberg, 22, stated that Israeli security forces “kidnapped us in international waters and taking us against our will to Israel.”
She emphasized that her personal experience paled in comparison to the suffering endured by Palestinians.
Israel intercepted a ship carrying aid to Gaza and detained activists, including Greta Thunberg. https://t.co/q9q9q9q9q9
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 10, 2024
“This is not the real story. The real story is there is a genocide going on in Gaza and systematic starvation.”
—Greta Thunberg
Five French activists, who refused voluntary departure from Israel, remain in custody. Thunberg herself was deported on a commercial El Al flight, a decision reflecting her commitment to avoiding air travel due to environmental concerns.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The vessel, named Madleen, carried essential food and supplies intended for Gaza, aiming to challenge the ongoing Israeli blockade. The interception occurred approximately 185 kilometers off the Gazan coast. According to the UN, approximately 2.2 million residents of Gaza—over 80% of the population—now rely on humanitarian assistance. UN OCHA (June 2024)
Legal and Political Fallout
Thunberg condemned the incident as a “continuation and violation of international law and war crimes”
stemming from Israel’s restrictions on aid deliveries. She also criticized the “silence and passivity”
of global governments regarding the situation in Gaza, describing it as a “betrayal.”
Several rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have accused Israel of genocide, allegations Israel strongly denies.
The Madleen carried activists from France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands, all united in their goal of delivering aid and breaking the blockade. Thunberg affirmed her commitment to continuing the campaign, stating, “We will not stop. We will try every single day to demand an end to the atrocities Israel is carrying out.”
