The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced the imminent deportation of passengers, including activist Greta Thunberg, from the intercepted aid ship Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which opposes Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Ship, Greta Thunberg Among Deportees
Israel Intercepts Gaza Aid Ship, Greta Thunberg Among Deportees
Activists, including Greta Thunberg, detained after the Madleen, a Gaza-bound aid ship, was intercepted by Israeli forces.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that it had detained passengers aboard the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, which was intercepted by Israeli forces, including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg. Reportedly, the passengers have been taken to an airport in Tel Aviv, where they are expected to be deported back to their home countries shortly.
Operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group campaigning against Israel's longstanding naval blockade of Gaza, the Madleen set sail from Catania, Italy, earlier this month. Despite the humanitarian intentions of the mission, Israeli military authorities vowed to stop the ship from breaching the blockade, asserting that they would deploy any necessary measures to prevent its arrival in Gaza.
According to the Foreign Ministry's statement on social media, any of the detained passengers who refuse to leave Israel could face legal action to enforce their deportation. However, it remains unclear whether any passengers have declined the option to leave.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has claimed that the activists were "kidnapped" by the Israeli military, marking another escalation in tensions surrounding aid delivery to the Gaza Strip. In the meantime, representatives of the coalition have not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
