Israel Imposes Travel Restrictions on Greta Thunberg, Preventing Her Visit to Gaza
Unstoppable Activist Greta Thunberg Faces Opposition from Israel Over Gaza Aid
Greta Thunberg, the renowned climate activist, is facing heavy resistance from Israel's Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, who is seeking to prevent her aid-laden vessel from reaching the Gaza Strip. Gantz has labeled Thunberg as an "anti-Semite" and issued strict orders to the army to bar her ship's arrival in the war-torn region.
The flotilla, on which a pro-Palestinian group is also traveling, was set sail from Sicily last week, aiming to challenge the Israeli blockade and condemn the alleged "genocide" in the Gaza Strip. As of June 9, 2025, the vessel, now named "Madleen," had entered Egyptian waters, headed towards the Gaza Strip.
Gantz, however, has made it clear that Israel will not tolerate any attempt to breach the maritime blockade, a measure implemented in 2007 to prevent weapon supply to Hamas. He stressed that Israel would act decisively against any such attempts at sea, in the air, or on land.
Last attempt to Gaza was foiled
The previous attempt by Thunberg to reach the Gaza Strip was thwarted in May when the ship was damaged en route. Suspicions arose that it was an attack by Israeli drones, although no evidence has since been provided. Thunberg has been a vocal proponent of Palestinian rights, having participated in numerous pro-Palestinian protests in the past.
Controversial MEP, Rima Hassan, was initially due to join Thunberg in her mission but was denied entry to Israel as part of an EU parliamentary trip earlier this year.
Bloody War Continues in Gaza
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Gaza Strip has witnessed a surge in violence during the past week, with civilian casualties on the rise. On June 9, the Civil Defense in Gaza confirmed ten deaths and numerous injuries. The victims were traveling towards a distribution center for aid supplies when they were targeted, allegedly without prior warning.
Israeli military officials have defended their actions, claiming that the victims had advanced in a manner that threatened Israeli soldiers. The border area was declared an "active combat zone" overnight, according to the Israeli army.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, according to reports from both sides. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has repeatedly called for an end to the violence and for unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for the affected population.
- Greta Thunberg
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
- Palestinians
- Hamas
Enrichment Data
Overall:
In Terms of the Legal Standing:- Greta Thunberg's aid delivery mission to Gaza is considered legal by international law, and any obstruction can be seen as a violation of international humanitarian law, as upheld by the International Court of Justice[1].
Background on the Mission:
- The Freedom Flotilla Coalition's mission aimed to deliver essential supplies such as rice, flour, and baby formula, amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following the Israeli blockade[2].
- The coalition stated that it was prepared for non-violent resistance and anticipated potential confrontations with Israeli forces[2].
Sources:[1] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Blockade of Gaza: An Update. [Online]. Available: https://www.hrw.org/report/2025/06/15/blockade-gaza-update[2] Al Jazeera. (2025). Greta Thunberg's Gaza-bound ship stopped by Israeli forces off coast of Gaza. [Online]. Available: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/9/greta-thunbergs-gaza-bound-ship-stopped-by-israeli-forces-off-coast-of-gaza[3] Amnesty International. (2025). Israel's blockade of Gaza: Collective punishment and restrictions on freedom of movement. [Online]. Available: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/04/israels-blockade-of-gaza-collective-punishment-and-restrictions-on-freedom-of-movement/[4] Middle East Eye. (2025). Greta Thunberg refused entry to Israel. [Online]. Available: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/greta-thunberg-refused-entry-israel-israel-denies-claims-activist-detained-jordan[5] UN OCHA. (2023). Gaza Humanitarian Situation: Report of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. [Online]. Available: https://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_29_december_2023.pdf
The Commission, in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and allegations of violations against international humanitarian law, is proposing to extend the deadline for the submission of proposals to the Council regarding politics, general news, and crime-and-justice, encompassing the legal aspects of Greta Thunberg's mission to deliver aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.
Despite the legal standing of Thunberg's mission, Israel's Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, continues to implementation measures to prevent her aid-laden vessel, the "Madleen," from reaching Gaza, citing politics, violence, and war-and-conflicts as justifications for his actions. This imposition stands in opposition to international law and could potentially escalate tensions, especially in the context of controversies surrounding Thunberg's past participation in pro-Palestinian protests.
