Israel has deported activist Greta Thunberg, the country’s foreign ministry has confirmed. This follows the seizure of the Gaza-bound ship she was traveling on by the Israeli military on Monday. Read more about the ship’s seizure here.
According to a post on X by the foreign ministry, Ms. Thunberg departed Israel on a flight to France, en route to her native Sweden.
The post included a photo of Thunberg, the climate activist known for avoiding air travel, seated on an airplane.
Upon arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, Ms. Thunberg spoke out, urging the release of the other activists who were detained on the Freedom Flotilla.
She described the detention as a “quite chaotic and uncertain” experience.
The activist emphasized that the conditions they faced were insignificant “compared to what people are going through in Palestine and especially Gaza right now”.
“We were well aware of the risks of this mission,” Ms. Thunberg stated.
“The aim was to get to Gaza and to be able to distribute the aid.”
She affirmed that the activists would continue their efforts to deliver aid to Gaza.
Ms. Thunberg was among 12 passengers onboard the Madleen, a ship carrying aid destined for Gaza. The ship’s mission was intended to protest against Israel’s ongoing war in the region and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the organization behind the journey.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that Israeli naval forces intercepted the boat early on Monday, approximately 125 miles off the coast of Gaza. The coalition, along with various rights groups, has condemned Israel’s actions as a violation of international law.
Israel defends its actions, asserting that the ships aim to break what it considers a legitimate naval blockade of Gaza.
The foreign ministry stated that the boat, escorted by the Israeli navy, arrived at the Israeli port of Ashdod on Monday evening.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition indicated that three activists, including Ms. Thunberg, along with a journalist, were deported. The organization explained that it had encouraged some members of the group to accept deportation so they could freely share their experiences.
Eight other passengers refused deportation and are currently being held in detention, awaiting a hearing by Israeli authorities. Adalah, an Israeli legal rights group representing the activists, stated that the eight are expected to appear before a court later on Tuesday.
“Their detention is unlawful, politically motivated and a direct violation of international law,” the coalition declared in a statement. They are demanding the immediate release of the remaining passengers without deportation and insist that their lawyers will argue for their right to complete their journey to Gaza.
Sabine Haddad, a spokeswoman for Israel’s interior ministry, said that the activists who were being deported on Tuesday had waived their right to appear before a judge. Those who refused deportation will face a judge and will be held for 96 hours before being deported, she said.
