The Madleen, carrying 12 passengers including climate activist Greta Thunberg, left Italy on
June 1 to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and a blockade
restricting aid to the region
The boat was intercepted by Israeli naval forces about 200 kilometres off the Gaza coast.
Greta Thunberg and four others signed deportation documents and were returned to France
on Wednesday. The remaining eight passengers are still in Israeli custody, awaiting a court
hearing.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed the vessel had
violated its naval blockade and dismissed the mission as a selfie meant as a publicity
stunt. In response, Greta Thunberg accused Israeli authorities of kidnapping the activists in
international waters and forcibly transporting them to Israel against their will.
After returning to France, 22-year-old Greta Thunberg called the Israeli navy’s actions
“another intentional violation of rights,” adding it was part of the “countless other violations
that Israel is committing.” She said the voyage was a peaceful protest against Israel’s
blockade of Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.
Passengers reported disturbing treatment while in Israeli custody. According to activist
André Baptiste, Israeli forces allegedly played loud music and danced to prevent the activists
from sleeping. He also claimed they were given limited access to food and water, describing
the experience as mocking and mistreatment aimed at psychological pressure.
“I don’t have the legal qualifications to define what happened,” Baptiste told BFM TV, “but
there were definitely acts of mistreatment.”
Tags: Greta Thunberg kidnapped, selfie yacht, Freedom Flotilla Organisation, Pro Palestinan
boat