Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was greeted by a cheering pro-Palestinian crowd in Athens on Monday after being among hundreds of campaigners deported by Israel in the latest round of Flotilla Expulsions. The group of activists had attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid but were intercepted at sea and later flown out. Israeli authorities confirmed that 171 activists were expelled on Monday, including Thunberg, bringing the total number deported to 341 out of the 479 who were detained during the operation. Greece’s Foreign Ministry reported that 161 activists landed in Athens, representing nearly 20 different nationalities, including 27 Greeks.
Addressing supporters at Athens airport, Thunberg condemned the Israeli operation and accused the international community of failing Palestinians.nThere is a genocide going on, she said, stressing that the Global Sumud Flotilla was launched to step in where governments had failed to uphold their legal responsibilities.
Greta Thunberg Welcomed in Athens After Flotilla Expulsions Spark Global Outcry
Israel strongly rejected accusations of genocide and dismissed reports of hunger in Gaza as exaggerated. Officials described the flotilla as a “publicity stunt” intended to benefit Hamas and pointed out that Thunberg had already been detained in June for attempting to breach the blockade. The Israeli foreign ministry insisted that detainees’ rights were respected and released photos of Thunberg at the airport, claiming the only violence involved an activist who bit a medic at Ketziot prison. However, returning activists painted a different picture. Swiss participants alleged sleep deprivation, lack of food and water, and in some cases physical assault. They beat us, kicked us, and locked us in cages, a statement from their group said. In Spain, lawyer Rafael Borrego claimed activists were blindfolded, tied, and dragged on the ground. Swedish activists alleged that Thunberg was shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag, while others said their medication and belongings were confiscated.Israel dismissed these accounts as complete lies, insisting all detainees were provided with food, water, restrooms, and legal access. The Swiss Embassy in Tel Aviv said its nationals were in relatively good health given the circumstances.
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REThunberg emphasized that the mistreatment of activists, while serious, was not the main issue. What happened here is that Israel once again violated international law by blocking humanitarian aid while millions are being starved, she said. Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, who was also on the flotilla, echoed her remarks, stating that whatever hardships the activists endured were minimal compared to what Palestinians face daily.The Flotilla Expulsions have drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups and political figures across Europe. While Israel insists it acted within the law, the deportation of high-profile activists like Thunberg has intensified global scrutiny on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and the ongoing blockade.
