Paris — Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has accused Israel of violating international law after being deported for participating in a pro-Palestinian aid mission to Gaza. The 22-year-old was on board the Madleen, a humanitarian vessel intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters.
“This is yet another intentional violation of rights that is added to the list of countless other violations that Israel is committing,” Thunberg said at a press briefing upon arriving in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport.
She emphasized, however, that her ordeal was minor compared to the suffering endured by Palestinians in Gaza:
“My experience is nothing compared to what the Palestinians are going through.”
Interception and Deportation
The Madleen, carrying food and supplies, was halted approximately 185 km west of Gaza’s coast by Israeli forces. The vessel carried a multinational group of activists from France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands, aiming to break the ongoing Israeli blockade on Gaza.
While five French nationals were detained for refusing voluntary deportation, Thunberg was flown back to Paris on an El Al commercial flight. Known for avoiding air travel due to its environmental impact, she acknowledged the irony:
“I was taken against my will to Israel and then deported on a flight. But this is not the real story. The real story is there is a genocide going on in Gaza and systematic starvation.”
Call to Action and International Inaction
Thunberg accused Israel of systematically blocking humanitarian aid and violating international law.
“This was a mission to bring aid to Gaza and send solidarity. We couldn’t succeed. Israel is committing war crimes by not letting aid in,” she said.
She also criticized the “silence and passivity” of world governments:
“There are no words to describe the betrayal that is happening every day by our own governments.”
Despite the ordeal, Thunberg vowed to continue her activism:
“We will not stop. We will try every single day to demand an end to the atrocities Israel is carrying out.”
Ongoing Conflict
The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel resulted in 1,219 Israeli deaths, mostly civilians. In response, Israel launched a full-scale military campaign in Gaza. As of now, the Gaza Health Ministry reports at least 54,981 Palestinian deaths, with the majority being civilians. The UN recognizes these figures as credible.
Out of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 54 remain in Gaza, with 32 presumed dead, according to the Israeli military.
Israel has strongly denied genocide allegations made by rights groups like Amnesty International, maintaining its actions are defensive and justified in light of Hamas’ attacks.