Israel Deports Greta Thunberg by Plane After Gaza Protest at Sea

Pro-Palestinian activist Greta Thunberg is on a plane to France en route to Sweden, according to the Foreign Ministry on X.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel after she and 11 other international activists were stopped at sea while trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Thunberg, who has long been known for her global climate protests, joined a mission aboard the boat Maureen (formerly named “Handala”), organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

The small vessel had departed from Sicily and was headed toward the blockaded Gaza Strip carrying around cargo including flour, rice, baby formula, diapers, and medical supplies.

But before reaching the Gaza coast, Israeli naval forces intercepted the boat in international waters and escorted it to the port of Ashdod, claiming the activists were attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade.

Upon arrival in Israel, the activists were taken into custody. Authorities offered them a choice: accept deportation or face legal proceedings. Thunberg, along with three others, chose to be deported and was put on a flight to France, from where she will continue on to her home in Sweden.

A photo released by Israel’s Foreign Ministry showed Thunberg at the airport, signaling her compliance with the deportation order. According to the ministry, she agreed to leave voluntarily to avoid being detained further or charged in court.

The activist group described the mission as a peaceful attempt to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They said the cargo, though small, was symbolic, meant to draw attention to the suffering of Palestinians who have endured months of war, hunger, and displacement.

Israel, on the other hand, called the flotilla a “publicity stunt” and accused the group of trying to create a political scene. Officials dismissed the boat’s aid as insignificant and emphasized the ongoing need to inspect all goods entering Gaza for security reasons. They also pointed to Hamas’ control of the area as justification for their tight blockade.

The UN and human rights organizations have expressed concern over Israel’s interception of the boat in international waters. Legal experts have questioned the legitimacy of stopping a civilian ship carrying aid so far from the coast, calling it a potential breach of maritime law.

Meanwhile, critics of the blockade argue that it has created a near-total humanitarian disaster in Gaza, where access to food, water, medicine, and fuel remains extremely limited. They say symbolic efforts like this flotilla help bring global attention to what is happening on the ground.

As Thunberg returns home, her brief involvement in this mission has reignited global conversations not just about climate justice — her main focus — but also about human rights, war, and freedom of movement.

Though her part in the flotilla was short-lived, it’s clear her message continues to echo far beyond environmental circles.