Greta Thunberg Deported from Israel After Gaza-Bound Boat Seized

 

Greta Thunberg Deported from Israel After Gaza-Bound Boat Seized Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel on Tuesday, following the Israeli navy's interception of a British-flagged yacht attempting to reach Gaza. The vessel, carrying Thunberg and other pro-Palestinian activists, was stopped as part of Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Thunberg was placed on a flight to France and will continue on to Sweden. Three other crew members aboard the yacht agreed to immediate repatriation, while eight others are contesting their deportation and will remain in detention ahead of a court hearing. The vessel was carrying humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula, aimed at raising awareness about Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

Israel dismissed the voyage as a publicity stunt by pro-Hamas activists, stating that the aid would be transferred through official humanitarian channels. Thunberg, who usually refuses to fly due to environmental concerns, released a video claiming that her detention in international waters was akin to kidnapping. U.S. President Donald Trump mocked Thunberg, saying Israel had enough problems without "kidnapping Greta." The Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007, aims to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas but has contributed to severe hardship among Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, with the UN warning of famine threats amid ongoing conflict.

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