Greta Thunberg, the renowned Swedish climate campaigner, has left Israel for France. Her departure comes after she and other activists were detained aboard a boat attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The yacht, named Madleen, was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday and subsequently towed to the port of Ashdod.

Israel confirms activist's expulsion

Israel's foreign ministry confirmed Thunberg's departure, posting on X that she was "departing Israel on a flight to France," accompanied by two photos of her on a plane. Thunberg was among 12 campaigners apprehended for trying to breach the Israeli naval blockade. Their action was a symbolic gesture aimed at highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Israeli foreign ministry stated on X that "The passengers of the 'Selfie Yacht' arrived at Ben Gurion airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries." The ministry added a warning: "Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority."

Jean-Noel Barrot, France's Foreign Minister, noted that five of the six French citizens detained refused to sign deportation papers and will now face an Israeli judicial authority. He explained on X that "One of them has agreed to leave voluntarily and should return today. The other five will be subject to forced deportation proceedings." Among the French nationals were MEP Rima Hassan and Al Jazeera journalist Omar Faiad.

Legal action looms for defiant activists

The Israeli foreign ministry reiterated that "Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority." The Freedom Flotilla Coalition FFC, the organizers of the journey, confirmed that all activists were being processed by Israeli officials. The FFC also suggested that "They may be permitted to fly out of Tel Aviv as early as tonight."

FFC decries "unlawful" seizure, demands release

The FFC condemned Israel's actions, asserting that intercepting the vessel in international waters and detaining volunteers constituted a violation of international law. The coalition stated that the Madleen was carrying essential supplies, including food, baby formula, and medical provisions. The group declared, "We continue to demand the immediate release of all volunteers and the return of the stolen aid."

Israel dismisses act as "media provocation"

In a sharp retort on X, the Israeli foreign ministry accused the campaigners of orchestrating a "media provocation" with negligible aid. It argued, "While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity... more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks." The ministry concluded, "There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip – they do not involve Instagram selfies."