gts1Greta Thunberg leaves Israel after being detained aboard a humanitarian vessel attempting to break the Gaza blockade

 

Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel on Tuesday after being held on board the Madleen, a humanitarian ship bound for Gaza. Organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the ship was intended to breach Israel’s blockade and supply aid, but was intercepted in international waters, approximately 200 km off the coast of Gaza.

Rights organizations denounced the move. Adalah labeled the seizure ‘a serious violation of international law,’ and Amnesty International’s Agnès Callamard stated the raid put lives at risk and broke maritime law.

 

Israel Defends Blockade as Legal, Labels Voyage a Stunt

 

Israeli authorities justified the naval blockade as a measure to keep weapons out of the hands of Hamas. The Foreign Ministry labeled the flotilla as a ‘publicity stunt,’ calling the ship the ‘selfie yacht’ and stating it was carrying ‘less than a truckload of aid.’

“Israel is preventing all ships from entering the Gaza Strip, as is by international law,” the ministry stated.

 

Thunberg agrees to voluntary deportation

 

Thunberg, 22, who avoids flying for environmental reasons, took a flight out of France after opting to waive her right to appear before a court. She was one of four, two of whom were activists and a reporter, who agreed to voluntary deportation.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry affirmed her flight on X (formerly Twitter), “Greta Thunberg just left Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France).”

Eight others declined to leave and are still in Israeli detention. They include Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian origin who was previously denied entry into Israel. French officials reported that one detainee offered to depart, with five others, including Hassan, facing legal proceedings.

 

Cyber Reaction: Personal, Political, and Polarizing

 

The news of the deportation of Thunberg attracted strong reactions on social media, most of which were below the Foreign Ministry’s post.

One commenter posts, “Pack her off with a lot of sandwiches so she doesn’t have to sail on the selfie flopilla again.”

Another writes, “What a pathetic little loser.”

A third adds, “Bye-bye, Greta.”

A more political response reads, “I hope she saw the trucks at Kerem Shalom. There is food, but the distribution problem is with Hamas.

While some praised Thunberg’s stance, the overwhelming tone online was sharply critical, reflecting the polarization around Gaza and global activism.

 

Activism at the Crossroads of Power and Protest

 

The instant deportation of Thunberg serves as a reminder of this volatile space where activism, international law, and geopolitics collide. Her appearance in the flotilla further brings media attention to Gaza’s plight and to the growing risks faced by civilians attempting to challenge entrenched blockades and state policies on the world stage.