On June 10, 2025, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, aged 22, was officially deported from Israel after boarding a ship attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The vessel, named the Madleen, carried Thunberg and 11 other activists and journalists, sailing under a UK flag. Their mission was part of a symbolic “Freedom Flotilla” intended to bring humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, which has been enduring a severe humanitarian crisis.
Israeli naval forces intercepted the yacht early on Monday, approximately 125 miles (200 kilometers) off Gaza’s coast, asserting control with no reported physical confrontations. The activists and their modest cargo were subsequently escorted to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where they were detained overnight before being transported to Ben Gurion Airport.
In a pre-recorded video, Thunberg described the boarding as an act of “kidnapping in international waters” by Israeli forces. She urged her family, friends, and global supporters to pressure the Swedish government for her release. However, the Israeli Foreign Ministry labelled the voyage a “media provocation” and dismissed the aid on board as negligible—less than what a single truck could carry.
By Tuesday, Thunberg, along with three other activists (including a journalist), agreed to immediate deportation. They were placed on a flight to France, with a subsequent connection to Sweden. The Foreign Ministry shared images of Thunberg aboard the plane, settling in for her journey home. Israel clarified that those consenting to deportation waived their right to judicial review, while the remaining eight passengers opted to contest the deportation and are being detained for up to 96 hours pending court appearances.
Among those detained is Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian descent, previously barred from entering Israel due to her political positions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that one French activist had signed the order to leave Israel, while five others refused to leave and are awaiting formal proceedings; all received consular visits.
The rights group Adalah, representing several detained individuals, condemned the detention as unlawful and in breach of international law, citing that the activists were in international waters, destined for Palestinian territorial waters—not for Israel itself. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition echoed this view, denouncing the seizure and claiming the activists would be moved to a Ramle detention centre unless they agreed to deportation. Amnesty International similarly criticized Israel, warning it was violating international humanitarian norms.
Israel, however, defended its actions, citing the naval blockade of Gaza established in 2007. It argued that such measures are vital to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas and ensure security, especially in light of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants. Over 54,000 Palestinians have reportedly died in subsequent Israeli military operations; Gaza’s basic supplies—food, fuel, and medicine—have been heavily restricted, pushing the region toward famine.
Israeli officials and Defense Minister Israel Katz criticized the flotilla’s intentions. Katz stated the activists should be shown footage of Hamas’s October 7 atrocities, underscoring Israel’s security justification.
The Foreign Ministry dismissed the effort as Instagram activism by the “selfie yacht,” pointing out that Israel had delivered over 1,200 trucks of aid in recent days—far more than the Flotilla’s small cargo.
Sergio Toribio, a Spanish activist aboard the Madleen who departed earlier, branded the interception a “pirate attack in international waters,” condemning it as a violation of civil rights .
This incident highlights the dual nature of the Gaza conflict: a pressing humanitarian crisis versus Israel’s security-driven blockade policy. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and allied rights groups argue that the activists were peacefully delivering aid into Gaza—a territory of Palestinians—whereas Israeli officials deem the flotilla a political stunt that could aid Hamas.
Thunberg’s involvement brought significant global attention to the mission. Her refusal to fly, grounded in environmental ethics, contrasted starkly with her willingness to sail in defiance of Israel’s blockade—demonstrating both her commitment and the complex tensions at play. As global observers debate the legality and morality of the blockade, the fate of the remaining detained activists—and the broader aid situation in Gaza—remains uncertain.
Key Details at a Glance:
- Date of Deportation: June 10, 2025
- Intercepted: June 9, 2025, approximately 125 miles off Gaza’s coast
- Vessel: The “Madleen” (UK-flagged, Gaza-bound)
- Passengers: 12 activists/journalists, including Greta Thunberg
- Deported: Thunberg + 3 others, via France to Sweden/French citizens
- Detained: 8 others; refusal to sign deportation, pending legal proceedings
- Main Legal Argument: Activists were in international waters — attempted delivery to Gaza, not Israel
- Israel’s Stance: Security blockade to prevent weapon smuggling — sovereignty and law upheld
