Jerusalem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Climate activist Greta Thunberg and other pro-Palestinian campaigners have been transferred to Tel Aviv airport ahead of their deportation, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday, after the Israeli navy blocked their attempt to sail to Gaza.
Israeli forces seized the charity vessel as it approached Gaza on Monday morning, attempting to breach a long-standing naval blockade of the coastal enclave, and detained the 12-member crew, including Swedish activist Thunberg.
Is Greta Thunberg being deported or detained longer?
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the UK-flagged yacht arrived in the Israeli port of Ashdod, and the activists were repositioned to Ben Gurion airport overnight.
“Some of the ‘Selfie Yacht’ passengers are expected to leave within the next few hours,”
The ministry said in a statement.
“Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority, in accordance with Israeli law, to authorize their deportation.”
The Israeli government dismissed the expedition as a pro-Hamas publicity trick.
“The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,”
The Foreign Ministry said.
Representatives from the passengers’ home countries’ consulates met them at the airport, it also said.
What aid were the activists carrying to Gaza?
Activists had been transporting a small shipment of humanitarian assistance, including rice and baby formula, and claimed they aimed to draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been ravaged by months of conflict.
Was the Israeli naval action in international waters?
According to Thunberg, Israel kidnapped her in international waters.
“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,”
She said in a video that was recorded ahead of the Israeli Navy action.
What did Trump say about detention?
In a statement released on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump denied Thunberg’s claim that she was kidnapped.
“I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg,”
He said.
“She’s a young, angry person … I think she has to go to an anger management class.”
Israel has enforced a naval blockade on the coastal enclave since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, claiming it is to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.
Israel’s blockade has continued in force despite ongoing conflicts, including the war, which broke out after Hamas-led militants launched a devastating attack across southern Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in over 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 hostages, according to Israeli records.
