An update has been provided on the status of Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists who were aboard a boat seized by Israeli forces.
Thunberg was on her way to the Gaza Strip on a vessel called Madleen to deliver aid to Palestinians when they were intercepted by the military.
This event led to the release of a pre-recorded video message from Thunberg. In the video, she stated: “My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden.
“If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces — or forces that support Israel.
“I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”
By Monday evening (June 9), Thunberg and the other activists had reached Ashdod, as reported by Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
The 12 activists underwent medical evaluations to confirm their health status, according to the ministry.
Adalah, a legal rights organization, stated that they were likely to be held in a detention facility in Ramle before deportation.
In a statement subsequently posted to social media, the Israel Foreign Ministry declared: “The passengers of the ‘Selfie Yacht’ arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.
“Some of the ‘Selfie Yacht’ passengers are expected to leave within the next few hours.
“Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority, in accordance with Israeli law, to authorize their deportation.
“Consuls from the passengers’ home countries met them at the airport.”
The quantity of aid on Thunberg’s boat was reportedly less than a truckload, according to PA reports.
“This wasn’t humanitarian aid. It’s Instagram activism,” commented Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer. “Meanwhile, Israel has delivered over 1,200 truckloads in the last two weeks. So who’s really feeding Gaza and who’s really feeding their own ego? Greta was not bringing aid, she was bringing herself.”
The boat with Thunberg was managed by Freedom Flotilla (FFC), which dispatched another ship to reach Gaza last month.
This vessel was later attacked by two drones in international waters near Malta, as claimed by the organizers.
The group attributed the attack to Israel, stating that it caused damage to the ship’s front section, reported by Sky News.