Greta Thunberg has broken her silence following her deportation from Israel, standing firm in her claim that she and fellow activists were forcibly taken by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The 22-year-old climate activist was aboard the British-flagged vessel Madleen, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, when it was intercepted in international waters.
In a widely circulated video, Thunberg identified herself and declared, “We have been caught and kidnapped by Israeli occupational forces.” She urged supporters to pressure the Swedish government for their release. Israeli authorities, however, dismissed the incident, sharing images of activists receiving food and water while labeling the mission a “selfie yacht” publicity stunt.
After being deported, Thunberg arrived in France before returning to Sweden, where she reiterated her stance. “We were taken against our will,” she stated, referencing past criticism from figures like Donald Trump, who once mocked her activism. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition condemned Israel’s actions as illegal, insisting their crew had every right to challenge the blockade.
While Thunberg and some activists were expelled, eight others refused deportation paperwork, potentially facing legal proceedings. The fate of their aid mission remains uncertain, but the confrontation has amplified global attention on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
