Athens, Greece
Climate activist Greta Thunberg arrived in Athens on Monday to a warm reception from a pro-Palestinian crowd after being deported by Israel. She was among hundreds of activists attempting to deliver vital aid to the besieged Gaza Strip as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Upon arrival, Thunberg directly criticized Israel’s military actions, labeling them a “genocide” and decrying what she called the international system’s complete failure to safeguard Palestinians.
Israel expelled 171 activists on Monday, bringing the total number deported so far to 341 out of 479 detained during the flotilla’s attempt to breach the naval blockade of Gaza. Among those arriving in Athens were 22 Swedish activists, including Thunberg, 27 Greeks, and citizens from nearly 20 other nations.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla aimed to step up when our governments failed to fulfill their legal obligations,” Thunberg said, emphasizing that humanitarian aid was deliberately blocked while residents in Gaza endure severe shortages and starvation.
Allegations of Mistreatment During Detention
Several activists reported enduring harsh conditions while detained by Israeli forces. Participants from Switzerland and Spain specifically claimed mistreatment, including being blindfolded, tied, denied food and water, and having their personal belongings confiscated. Thunberg herself was reportedly shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag during her detention.
Spanish activist lawyer Rafael Borrego stated that deported participants were “beaten, dragged, blindfolded, tied, and insulted” during their transfer—allegations Israel vehemently denies.
Israel Rejects Claims
Israel’s foreign ministry quickly rejected the claims of abuse, describing them as “complete lies.” The ministry insisted that detainees were provided with food, water, restroom access, and legal counsel throughout their custody. Photos of Thunberg at the airport were released by Israeli authorities, they stated, to confirm her well-being.
A Swiss Embassy visit in Tel Aviv reportedly found Swiss nationals “in relatively good health, given the circumstances.” Israel maintained that the flotilla was not a genuine humanitarian effort but a political publicity stunt designed to benefit Hamas.
Addressing the crowd in Athens, Thunberg highlighted the humanitarian crisis: “What happened here was that Israel, while continuing to escalate their genocide and mass destruction, once again violated international law by preventing humanitarian aid from getting into Gaza while people are being starved.”
Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, who was also on the flotilla, remarked that the alleged mistreatment during detention was minor when compared to the daily suffering endured by Palestinians in Gaza.
