Greta Thunberg Deported from Israel After Gaza Aid Arrest

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel following her arrest by the Israeli Navy while she was on a boat heading to Gaza, as stated by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On Tuesday, the authorities confirmed that Thunberg was on her way back to Sweden, making a stop in France.

“Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France),” the Israeli Ministry announced on X.

Reports indicated that Thunberg, along with three other activists, was taken to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. In contrast, eight others, including a member of the European Parliament, refused to sign documents necessary for deportation.

Thunberg allegedly informed her lawyers that she believed she could achieve “more good outside of Israel” and that remaining would “harm” her cause. This was reported by the Times of Israel, citing Adalah, an Israeli organization.

Interestingly, her flight is somewhat ironic, considering Thunberg has been vocal about the need to minimize air travel as part of her climate advocacy.

The deportation occurred after the Israeli Navy intercepted her flotilla on Monday. In a video posted by Thunberg during the naval encounter, she claimed to have been “kidnapped” by Israel.

When President Donald Trump was asked about Thunberg’s “kidnapping” assertion, he commented, “I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg.” He described her as a “strange person” and suggested she might benefit from “anger management” classes.

“If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters,” Thunberg said. She urged her supporters to pressure the Swedish government for her release along with the others.

The 22-year-old was among 12 people aboard the boat often dubbed the “selfie yacht,” with many suggesting that the entire operation was more about publicity than actual aid.

“The tiny amount of aid that wasn’t consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,” the Israeli Ministry remarked on X following the interception of the Madleen. “There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve provocations and selfies.”

Earlier, Israeli officials disclosed that over 1,200 aid trucks had entered Gaza in the last two weeks.