Israel is expelling Greta Thunberg and other members of the Freedom Flotilla.
Greta Thunberg, the renowned climate activist, was deported from Israel along with 11 other pro-Palestinian activists, following an interception of the aid ship they were on, the Madleen (also known as Handala in some reports), in international waters.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted the Madleen as it headed towards Gaza, carrying humanitarian aid and the activists on board[1]. Upon arrival at the Israeli port of Ashdod, the activists were taken into custody under immigration law. They were presented with options: voluntary deportation or detention pending a tribunal review. Several detainees, including some parliamentarians from abroad, agreed to voluntary deportation[3].
By early August 2025, all detainees, including Thunberg, had been deported. Some activists staged hunger strikes while detained in harsh conditions in Israeli prisons before being deported, some through Jordan[4]. Reports confirm that Thunberg was taken to Ben-Gurion Airport and forced to sign deportation documents before her removal from Israel[5].
The aid ship, under the British flag and belonging to the pro-Palestinian coalition "Freedom Flotilla Coalition" (FFC), was detained by the Israeli military[7]. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that the aid will be delivered to Gaza "through real humanitarian channels"[8].
The incident occurred last night, with the Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, ordering the military not to allow the ship to reach Gaza, calling it a propaganda action in support of Hamas[6]. The "Freedom Flotilla" was founded in 2010 to oppose the blockade of Gaza and the "ongoing genocide" in the territory of the enclave[9]. Israel imposed a maritime blockade on Gaza in 2007, after Hamas took control of the sector[10].
The yacht carried a small batch of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby food[6]. None of the crew members were harmed, and all passengers are safe, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry[11].
The situation remains politically sensitive, with Israel blocking the flotilla citing security concerns and the activists, including Thunber, framing the journey as a humanitarian mission to Gaza[1][3]. The Israeli authorities cited previous incidents and the pro-Palestinian stances of participants as grounds for their actions[1][3]. The Israeli Foreign Ministry tweeted about the incident, but the tweet is blocked in Russia[2].
Reports come from The Times of Israel and CNN[12]. The activists, including Thunberg, are expected to arrive at the port in Ashkelon, Israel, in the evening local time[1]. Ashkelon is approximately 40 km from Tel Aviv, Israel[4]. Upon arrival at the Israeli port, steps will be taken to return the activists to their home countries.
- In the realm of general news, discussions about the expulsion of Greta Thunberg, alongside other pro-Palestinian activists, from Israel following their aid ship interception (the Madleen) in international waters, have been dominating politics and crime-and-justice debates.
- The ongoing situation, in which Israel blocks aid ships to Gaza while activists, such as Thunberg, view their journeys as humanitarian missions, remains a contentious issue intertwined with war-and-conflicts, adding a complex layer to the politics governing the region.
