Greta Thunberg and 170 Activists Deported by Israel Following Flotilla Incident

Fri Oct 10 2025 20:50:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, alongside over 170 pro-Palestinian activists, has been deported from Israel after being detained while attempting to breach a naval blockade in Gaza. The incident raises concerns about humanitarian access and the treatment of activists.

Israel has deported Greta Thunberg and 170 other protesters who took part in a flotilla aimed at delivering aid to Gaza, challenging the country's maritime blockade. Activists claimed mistreatment during their detention, while Israel defended its actions as legally justified. The situation highlights ongoing tensions and humanitarian concerns in the region.

Israel has deported Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and 170 other pro-Palestinian activists who were detained when Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla trying to breach its naval blockade of Gaza. Thunberg raised her fist as she was presented with flowers and cheered by dozens of supporters who had gathered at Athens airport.

The Israeli foreign minister said the activists had been flown to Greece and Slovakia, including citizens from Greece, Slovakia, France, Italy, the UK, and the US. The ministry dismissed accusations that the activists had been mistreated during their detention as 'fake news'.

So far, 341 out of 479 people on board the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) have been announced for deportation, while 138 activists remain in Israeli detention, with more than 40 confirmed to be on hunger strike.

The GSF aimed to 'break the illegal siege on Gaza by sea', asserting that the interceptions violated international maritime law. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities defended the blockade, calling the flotilla a 'publicity stunt' due to its minimal aid supply.

Greece's foreign ministry confirmed that Thunberg was among 161 citizens from 16 European countries flown to Athens after the deportations. Upon arrival, Thunberg stated, 'The GSF had been the biggest ever attempt to break Israel's illegal and inhumane siege by sea'. She emphasized the importance of global solidarity against governmental inaction regarding human rights.

Reports from deported activists alleged severe mistreatment during their detention, including physical and psychological abuse. In contrast, the Israeli foreign ministry insisted that the activists’ legal rights were upheld throughout their detention process.

The GSF's flotilla set sail from Barcelona following U.N. alerts about famine conditions in Gaza. The situation remains dire in the region, with rising death tolls linked to the ongoing conflict.