Greta Thunberg Deported to France After Israel Seizes Gaza Aid Vessel

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israel deported Swedish activist Greta Thunberg to France on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

As reported by Arab News, the 22-year-old activist accused Israel of kidnapping her and 11 other activists boarding the aid vessel bound for Gaza in international waters. They were later taken to Tel Aviv airport for deportation.

“Greta Thunberg is departing Israel on a flight to France,” said the Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its official X account, along with two photos of the activist on board a plane.

Meanwhile, five French activists aboard the ship heading to Gaza will face Israeli judges, said the French foreign minister on Tuesday.

"Our consul was able to see the six French nationals arrested by the Israeli authorities last night," said Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in X. "One of them has agreed to leave voluntarily and should return today. The other five will be subject to forced deportation proceedings."

Barrot did not identify them, but the six French citizens include European Parliament Member Rima Hassan and two journalists, Omar Faiad from Al Jazeera based in Qatar and Yanis Mhamdi from the online publication Blast, who, according to Reporters Without Borders, were documenting Madleen's journey.

In addition to France and Sweden, there were citizens from Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Turkey aboard the ship.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the activist group operating the British-flagged cruise ship The Madleen, demanded the immediate release of all detainees.

FFC confirmed in a statement on Monday night that the 12 individuals had arrived in Ashdod. Anyone who refused deportation would be transferred to a detention facility in Ramle, near Tel Aviv.

"We continue to demand the immediate release of all volunteers and the return of the stolen aid. Their kidnapping is unlawful and a violation of international law," FFC added, as quoted from BBC.

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the aid, which included baby formula and medicines, would be transferred to Gaza "through real humanitarian channels."

The ship was intercepted on Monday morning as the activists attempted to deliver symbolic aid to Gaza, challenging Israel's naval blockade and highlighting the humanitarian crisis currently suffered by the people of the enclave.

FFC said that Madleen was intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters about 185 kilometers west of Gaza on Monday morning.

According to the group, the ship was surrounded by quadcopter drones, sprayed with "white irritant substance," and had its communication jammed.

A video footage released by the group showed the passengers sitting with their hands raised as Israeli forces boarded.

They also posted a clip showing Thunberg saying, "If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli occupational forces or forces that support Israel."

"I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible."

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs later said all passengers were "safe and unharmed" and posted a video showing the Israeli forces providing them with food and water.

Israel and Egypt have imposed a land, sea, and air blockade on Gaza since Hamas took over the territory in 2007, a year after winning legislative elections.

Israel halted all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies to Gaza on March 2 this year and resumed its onslaught two weeks later, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

Israel claimed that the measures were intended to pressure Hamas to release hostages still held in Gaza, but the UN warned that 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing severe starvation due to the blockade.

It has been 20 months since Israel launched a genocidal campaign in Gaza, which killed at least 54,927 Palestinians in the enclave, the majority of whom women and children. 

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