Greta Samberg is set to be deported from Israel. Currently, she is on a flight funded by the Greek government, having been detained after trying to breach maritime blockades around the Gaza Strip with her aid fleet. She’s been kept in a holding facility that reportedly has bedbugs.
The 22-year-old Swedish climate activist is expected to leave Israel on Monday, flying from Ramon Airport to Athens, as noted by Ynetnews.
So far, around 170 activists from the fleet have already been sent back to their home countries.
Samberg’s boat was among 42 vessels carrying over 450 activists intercepted by the Israeli Navy on Thursday, with Israeli defense officials alleging the fleet was linked to Hamas operations.
The activists aimed to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza in response to the ongoing conflict, but were arrested by Israeli forces and taken to Ketzio Prison in the Negev Desert.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry noted that Samberg mentioned developing a rash, likely from bedbugs. An email sent to her parents indicated she also faced challenging conditions, including sitting on hard surfaces for extended periods.
In addition, she claimed she was compelled to pose for a photo while holding a flag, though details about which flag remain unclear.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has called this assertion “a ridiculous lie.” Officials stated that “all legal rights of detainees are fully supported.”
Furthermore, it was highlighted that Samberg and the other detainees did not want to be deported and instead requested to prolong their detention. There’s been no formal complaint filed with Israeli authorities regarding these claims.
This isn’t Samberg’s first run-in with Israeli authorities; she was also involved in the unsuccessful Pro-Palestinian Fleet mission back in June, which was intercepted before it reached Gaza.
