Controversial Deportation: Israel Expels Greta Thunberg and Activists from Gaza Flotilla

Fri Oct 10 2025 22:31:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant turn of events, Israel has deported climate activist Greta Thunberg along with 170 other pro-Palestinian activists after intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to breach its blockade of Gaza. The move has sparked debates regarding the methods employed in the detention and deportation of these individuals.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and 170 pro-Palestinian activists have been deported by Israeli authorities after they were detained during an attempt to breach the naval blockade of Gaza. The activists, who aimed to deliver aid, faced allegations of mistreatment during their detention. While Israel maintains that all legal rights were upheld, many activists reported physical and mental abuse. The situation has reignited discussions on humanitarian efforts and international law regarding the blockade of Gaza.

Israel has deported Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and 170 other pro-Palestinian activists who were detained when Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla trying to breach its naval blockade of Gaza to deliver aid last week.

Thunberg raised her fist as she was presented with flowers and cheered by dozens of supporters who had gathered at Athens airport.

The Israeli foreign minister said the activists had been flown to Greece and Slovakia, and that Greek, Slovakian, French, Italian, British and US citizens were among them.

It also once again rejected as fake news accusations that the activists were mistreated and denied basic rights while in detention.

So far, the ministry has announced the deportations of 341 of the 479 people who were on board the 42 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).

The 138 other activists remain in detention in Israel. More than 40 were confirmed to be on hunger strike on Sunday, according to the GSF.

It said the goal of the flotilla was to break the illegal siege on Gaza by sea, open a humanitarian corridor, and end the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.

Israeli authorities said they enforced a legal blockade and called the flotilla a publicity stunt because it was transporting only two tons of aid in total.

Greece's foreign ministry said Thunberg was among 161 citizens of 16 European countries who were flown to Athens on Monday after being deported by Israel. Slovakia said it had received 10 other people on a separate flight.

Upon arrival in Athens, Thunberg stated that the GSF had been the biggest ever attempt to break Israel's illegal and inhumane siege by sea.

Lawyers and various activists have reported allegations of mistreatment during detention, including physical and mental abuse. Reports of degrading conditions and mistreatment have been cited by multiple deportees.

The Israeli foreign ministry maintains that all legal rights of the activists were upheld, labeling the criticisms as part of a pre-planned fake news campaign.

The backdrop to these events is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where there have been alarming reports regarding food shortages and malnutrition, prompting calls for changes in international law regarding the blockade.