Israel on Monday deported 171 activists, including Greta Thunberg, who were detained for taking part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The deportees were flown from Israel to Greece and Slovakia, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
The ministry said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), “171 additional provocateurs from the Hamas–Sumud flotilla, including Greta Thunberg, were deported today from Israel to Greece and Slovakia.”
Officials confirmed that those deported held citizenship from several countries, including Greece, Italy, France, and the United States.
Flotilla Intercepted by Israeli Forces
Thunberg was among about 450 activists detained when Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla last week. The group, part of the Global Sumud flotilla, had set sail in late August to challenge Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007.
The Foreign Ministry said that Thunberg and other activists departed from Ramon International Airport in southern Israel. Photos released by the ministry showed the detainees walking through the airport in gray sweatsuits and white T-shirts.
Number of Deportees Rises to 341
Israel had already deported 29 activists on Sunday, bringing the earlier total to 170. With Monday’s deportations, 341 flotilla participants have now been expelled, leaving 138 still in Israeli custody.
Israel has called the flotilla a “provocation”, insisting that its blockade is legal. The government argued that the activists’ mission was meant to create political pressure rather than deliver meaningful aid.
Criticism Over Treatment of Detainees
Human rights organizations and some governments have criticized Israel for how it handled the detainees. There were allegations that several activists were denied access to legal counsel.
However, the Israeli Foreign Ministry denied the claims, saying, “All the legal rights of the participants in this PR stunt were and will continue to be fully upheld. The lies they are spreading are part of their pre-planned fake news campaign.”
The ministry also claimed that the only act of violence came from “a Spanish participant who bit a medical staffer at Ketziot Prison.”
Thunberg Alleges Mistreatment
Greta Thunberg and other detainees have alleged unlawful detention conditions during their time in Israeli custody. They described poor treatment and limited communication with lawyers or consular representatives.
Israeli officials, on the other hand, have rejected all allegations of mistreatment, labeling the flotilla a “political stunt” designed to undermine Israel’s blockade and generate negative publicity.
Israel Defends Blockade, Offers Aid Transfer
As the flotilla approached Gaza, Israel offered to transfer the aid onboard through coordination with a foreign government. The Foreign Ministry said the flotilla carried only a “small quantity” of humanitarian supplies.
However, flotilla organizers disputed this, saying that Israel’s claims were false. They argued that the flotilla’s mission was peaceful and aimed to deliver urgently needed supplies directly to Gazans while drawing global attention to the humanitarian crisis caused by the blockade.
Second Flotilla Raises Tensions
Meanwhile, reports indicate that a second flotilla of 11 vessels — including one carrying medical workers and journalists — is already on its way to Gaza. This development could further heighten tensions in the region and lead to another confrontation at sea.