The Madleen had been at sea for several days as part of a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and make a visible political statement against the ongoing blockade
Eco warrior Greta Thunberg has been deported from Israel after being detained aboard the Madleen, a UK-flagged vessel part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition carrying aid toward Gaza. She is currently en route Paris on an El Al Israeli Airlines flight and is expected to travel further to Sweden.
Israeli authorities offered immediate release to the activists who agreed to sign deportation papers. While the 22-year-old complied with the condition, eight other activists have refused. This includes Rima Hassan, a sitting French Member of the European Parliament. They are now being reportedly sent to Givon Detention Centre in central Israel. As per Israel’s foreign ministry, those refusing to sign will be tried as per Israeli law and deported with or without their consent. However, the likelihood of it happening soon is rare and questions regarding their safety remain.
This is a one of a kind situation where a foreign government official has been arrested by the Israeli government.
The Madleen had been at sea for several days as part of a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and make a visible political statement against the ongoing blockade. The journey had been reported consistently, garnering support from international activists. Israeli authorities, however, dismissed the vessel as a “selfie yacht,” implying the mission was more about publicity than substance.
The Israeli government had earlier hinted at an impending interception. Eventually, forces boarded the UK-flagged ship while it was still in international waters which raise legal concerns, as the vessel was considered British sovereign territory under maritime law.
Following the arrests, Israeli authorities released an image showing Thunberg smiling while being handed a sandwich. The photo has since gone viral, sparking both criticism and controversy. For some, it reflects the regime’s attempt to project a softer image amid scrutiny, while others argue it trivialises the detention of activists and the seriousness of the aid mission.
While Thunberg heads home, the fate of the remaining detainees – including elected officials, remains uncertain.
