Israeli authorities have started deporting 12 international activists, including renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg and a French Member of the European Parliament, after their aid boat bound for Gaza was intercepted in international waters and towed to Israel’s Ashdod Port.
The group was part of the Madleen mission, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to raise global awareness about the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where over two million Palestinians face extreme shortages and famine-like conditions. The boat had set sail from Sicily on June 1 and was intercepted by the Israeli navy around 200 kilometers from the Gaza coastline.
Read more: Netanyahu Confirms Israeli Backing of Gaza Militias Amid Aid Scandal
Israel maintains that its blockade on Gaza is lawful, but human rights groups and legal experts have condemned the interception as a breach of international law. The activists, who are currently held at Ben Gurion International Airport, are undergoing deportation procedures.
The Palestinian legal advocacy group Adalah, which is representing the detainees, stated that the seizure occurred unlawfully in international waters. According to the organization, the Madleen was flying a UK flag and headed for Palestinian, not Israeli, territorial waters. “This action is a serious violation of international law,” Adalah said.
Adalah’s legal director, Suhad Bishara, reported that the detainees were handed over by the Israeli navy to immigration officials and could be deported imminently. However, some activists are seeking legal advice and may be moved to a detention center in Ramleh to await immigration hearings.
A video released by the FFC during the interception showed the activists raising their hands as Israeli forces boarded the ship. Since then, the coalition has lost contact with the crew. The passengers, including journalists and humanitarian workers, were reportedly unarmed.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the flotilla as a “publicity stunt,” describing the Madleen as a “selfie yacht” full of celebrities. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the ministry stated the activists were being medically examined and would be returned to their home countries.
Government spokesperson David Mencer criticized Thunberg directly, saying: “Greta was not bringing aid, she was bringing herself.” In a pre-recorded message released before contact was lost, Thunberg urged her supporters to demand her release.
Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs has confirmed its involvement, stating it is in contact with Israeli officials and ready to provide consular support. The UK government also urged Israel to show restraint and uphold international humanitarian laws, calling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “intolerable.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has demanded the immediate release of six French nationals aboard the vessel, calling Israel’s blockade of Gaza a “disgrace” and a violation of humanitarian principles.
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, harshly criticized the Israeli interception, stating that Israel had no legal right to stop a humanitarian mission in international waters.
The interception has sparked protests in cities across Europe, including London, Paris, and Berlin, where demonstrators accused Israel of committing “piracy.” In Brussels, activists called on the European Union to take a stronger stance against Israel’s blockade, which has been enforced since 2007 and repeatedly condemned by international courts and rights groups.
Reporting from Amman due to an Israeli ban on its presence in Israel and the West Bank, Al Jazeera noted that the flotilla had no intention of entering Israeli waters.
The Madleen interception has renewed global attention on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Aid agencies continue to report acute food shortages, collapsing infrastructure, and a health system on the brink due to ongoing Israeli bombardments.
The future of the detained activists remains unclear. While some may be deported soon, others are likely to challenge their removal through the Israeli legal system. Diplomats and legal representatives from multiple countries are currently working to gain access to the detainees.
“This is about more than just 12 people on a boat,” said Huwaida Arraf, a lead FFC organiser. “It’s about the millions in Gaza whose suffering is being overlooked by the world.”
