June 14, 2025
Swedish environmental activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Greta Thunberg was detained by the Israeli military along with 12 other activists while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza aboard the Madeline, a ship organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel departed Sicily, Italy, on June 1 carrying medical supplies, food, infant formula, diapers, and water purification equipment intended for civilians in Gaza.
On June 9, approximately 200 kilometers off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces intercepted the ship, detained all on board, and redirected the vessel to an Israeli port. Among the passengers was French physician Dr. Baptiste André, who has since accused Israeli authorities of mistreating the detainees during the operation.
Speaking after his return to France, Dr. André alleged that passengers—particularly Thunberg—were subjected to sleep deprivation, with loud music and dancing by Israeli personnel aimed at keeping them awake. He also said detainees had limited access to food and water. “I don’t have the legal qualifications to define what occurred, but there were acts of mistreatment,” André said.
Four of the twelve passengers, including Thunberg, agreed to sign deportation documents and were flown home. The remaining eight activists are still in Israeli custody, awaiting court proceedings.
Upon her return to Paris via Charles de Gaulle Airport, Thunberg accused Israel of violating international law. “They kidnapped us in international waters and forcibly took us to Israel,” she said. “This is yet another deliberate violation of our rights, added to the long list of abuses committed by Israel.” Thunberg emphasized that the mission was a nonviolent protest against Israel’s blockade of Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The Israeli government has downplayed the incident, describing the Madeline as a “selfie yacht” and accusing the activists of staging a publicity stunt. Officials maintain that the naval blockade is essential to prevent arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip. Israel has banned the entry of aid into Gaza since March 2, exacerbating shortages of food, medicine, and clean water. Human rights organizations warn that more than two million people are facing extreme hunger, with reports of child starvation emerging from the region.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously declared that any attempt to breach the blockade would be stopped, naming Thunberg among those who would not be permitted to reach Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the voyage, insists the mission was peaceful and lawful. The group claims that after boarding the vessel, Israeli soldiers disabled the passengers’ phones and held them without communication. Among the other passengers was French MP Rima Hassan, of Palestinian descent, who is already banned from entering Israel due to her opposition to Israeli policies.
In a post on social media platform X, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that the boat was “safely escorted” to shore and that passengers would be returned to their home countries. However, the activists maintain that they were unlawfully detained and that their rights were violated during the operation.
Who is Greta Thunberg?
Greta Thunberg rose to global fame in 2019 with her powerful “How Dare You” speech at the United Nations Climate Summit, in which she criticized world leaders for their failure to address climate change. That same year, she was named Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year.” Thunberg began her climate activism in 2018 at age 15, launching the “Fridays for Future” school strike movement. She is known for her environmental lifestyle, which includes avoiding air travel and maintaining a plant-based diet.