Swedish activist Greta Thunberg flew to France on Tuesday morning to leave Israel after being detained by Israeli forces along with 11 other activists.
She and others traveled to Gaza on a helping ship-the British-signed yacht Madleen when they were intercepted on Monday.
“Greta Thunberg has just flew to Sweden (via France) by plane,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
When Thunberg landed at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris after Thunberg was expelled from Israel, she accused the country of “killing us in international waters and taking us to Israel against our will to keep us at the bottom of the ship.”
“This is another intentional violation of rights, added to the numerous other violations committed by Israel,” Dunberg told reporters at the airport.
Dunberg added that her experience “is nothing compared to Palestinian experience.”
She said she could not “say goodbye” to other activists in custody.
“I’m very worried about them. We’ve heard a lot of different news that they’re not easy and that being able to see a lawyer will have trouble,” Dunberg told reporters. “I’m very calling for them to release immediately and everyone can mobilize the government and other ways to demand an immediate release.”
France said five of the six French citizens detained with Dunberg refused to sign their deportation order and would be subject to judicial proceedings.
The Free Fleet Alliance (FFC), a group of activists operating yachts, demanded immediate release of all persons in custody.
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Israel’s foreign ministry called the ship “self-portrait yacht” and said passengers “depart at Ben Gurion Airport, depart from Israel, and return to their homeland.”
“Some ‘selfie yacht’ passengers are expected to leave within the next few hours. Those who refuse to sign deportation documents will bring Israel to judicial authorization under Israel’s law. Authorize their deportation.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ship arrived in Ashdud accompanied by the Israeli Navy. After disembarking, it posted a photo on Thunberg’s social media.
The ministry said the 12 militants had medical examinations to ensure they were healthy. Adalah, a legal rights group representing them, said they are expected to be deported and then deported.
Militants set out to protest Israel’s military movement in Gaza and its restrictions on humanitarian aid.
The Alliance of Free Fleets, which organizes navigation, said the militants were “kidnapped by Israeli forces” while trying to provide much-needed assistance.
“The ship was illegally boarded, and its unarmed civilian crew were kidnapped and its life-saving cargo, including infant formula, food and medical supplies, were confiscated,” it said in a statement.
It said the ship was occupied in international waters about 200 kilometers from Gaza, and Adala claimed that Israel had no “legal authority” to take over it.
Israel’s foreign ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying on social media that the “celebrity”‘s “selfie yacht” were heading safely to the Israeli coast. ”
It said militants will return to their homeland and aid will be sent to Gaza through established channels. It scattered footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel distributing sandwiches and water to activists wearing lifeguard vests.
“This is not humanitarian aid. It is Instagram activism,” said Israeli government spokesman David Mencer. “At the same time, Israel has delivered more than 1,200 trucks in the past two weeks. So who is really feeding Gaza and who really feeds her own self? Greta did not bring aid, she brought herself.”
Madleen set sail from Sicily a week ago. Along the way, it stopped rescuing four immigrants on Thursday who jumped over the ship to avoid being detained by Libya’s Coast Guard, the Associated Press reported.
“I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and others as soon as possible,” Dunberg said in a pre-recorded message released after the ship stopped.
“Arsons by unarmed activists who act in a civilian manner to provide humanitarian assistance are equivalent to serious violations of international law,” Adalah, the rights group, said in a statement.
– Documents with the Associated Press
& Copy 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
