Greta Thunberg among deported flotilla activists as Israel reinforces Gaza blockade

Four of the 12 pro-Palestinian activists intercepted at sea, including Swedish climate figure Greta Thunberg, have been deported from Israel following their participation in a failed attempt to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. The remaining eight, including controversial French MEP Rima Hassan, now face legal proceedings after refusing to leave voluntarily.

The activists were aboard the Madleen, a UK-flagged vessel organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which set sail from Catania, Sicily, carrying humanitarian supplies and a message of protest. However, the Israeli Navy intercepted the ship in international waters on Monday, preventing it from reaching the Hamas-controlled territory.

Upon arrival in Ashdod, the activists were shown footage of the October 7 Hamas massacre, in which 1,200 Israelis were brutally murdered. According to Defense Minister Israel Katz, most of the activists refused to continue watching. “These antisemitic flotilla activists closed their eyes to the truth,” Katz stated. “They continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish and Israeli women, the elderly, and children.”

Participants included Yasemin Acar of Germany, who has previously expressed solidarity with Iran and Hamas, and actor Liam Cunningham. Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the voyage as a publicity stunt with minimal aid, stating “The show is over.” They emphasized that aid will be transferred to Gaza through established, secure channels.

Israel’s position is clear: the naval blockade of Gaza is a legal and essential measure to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas. “No unauthorized ship will be allowed to breach the blockade,” said Katz. “We will act against any attempt to support terror by sea, air, or land.”

Among those still in custody, French MEP Rima Hassan has sparked outrage for statements justifying Hamas's October 7 attack and denying the murder of the Bibas family. Five other French nationals are also being held pending deportation, as their refusal to leave voluntarily triggered legal detention procedures.

Thunberg’s presence on the Madleen drew significant global attention, but Israeli officials have dismissed her involvement as part of a broader anti-Israel narrative, detached from the reality on the ground. The Foreign Ministry posted images of Thunberg with an Israeli flag, noting she was “safe and in good spirits” during her deportation.

Meanwhile, Israel continues facilitating substantial humanitarian assistance into Gaza through legitimate means, including over 1,200 aid trucks in the past two weeks and millions of meals delivered via the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

As provocations like the flotilla persist, Israel remains unwavering in its commitment to protect its borders and citizens while ensuring that aid reaches civilians not terror groups. The message from Jerusalem is firm: activism cannot mask aggression, and facts cannot be erased by slogans.

Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates from Israel and around the world.