Israel Expels Greta Thunberg and Pro-Palestinian Activists Amid Flotilla Controversy

Sun Oct 19 2025 23:28:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant escalation of tensions, Israel has deported Greta Thunberg along with 170 other activists for attempting to breach the naval blockade of Gaza through a humanitarian flotilla.

Israel has deported Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and 170 other pro-Palestinian activists following their detention during a flotilla aimed at delivering aid to Gaza. Among those deported, citizens from Greece, Slovakia, France, Italy, Britain, and the U.S. were also included. The Israeli government has denied mistreatment claims from the activists, labeling the flotilla a 'publicity stunt' and asserting the legality of its blockade as well as rejecting accusations of abuses faced by those detained.

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 to deliver aid last week.

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, and that Greek, Slovakian, French, Italian, British, and US citizens were among them.

It also once again rejected as 'fake news' accusations that the activists were mistreated and denied basic rights while in detention.

So far, the ministry has announced the deportations of 341 of the 479 people who were on board the 42 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).

The 138 other activists remain in detention in Israel. More than 40 were confirmed to be on hunger strike on Sunday, according to the GSF.

It said the goal of the flotilla was to 'break the illegal siege on Gaza by sea, open a humanitarian corridor, and end the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.'

It also said the interceptions violated international maritime and humanitarian law.

Israeli authorities said they enforced a legal blockade and called the flotilla a 'publicity stunt' because it was transporting only two tons of aid in total.

Greece's foreign ministry said Thunberg was among 161 citizens of 16 European countries who were flown to Athens on Monday after being deported by Israel. Slovakia said it had received 10 other people on a separate flight.

On arrival in Athens, the Swedish activist told reporters that the GSF had been 'the biggest ever attempt to break Israel's illegal and inhumane siege by sea.'

Thunberg criticized global leaders for inaction and described the flotilla as a story of solidarity against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pointing out significant abuses faced by the activists during their detention.

Despite denials from Israeli authorities about allegations of abusive treatment during detention, reports continued to surface from released activists detailing cruel conditions and mistreatment.

The flotilla's intent to deliver aid comes amidst ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, exacerbated by recent military actions and a subsequent declaration of famine in the region. International calls for Israel to lift the blockade and allow humanitarian aid access continue to grow.