Israeli forces seize Thunberg, Sumud Flotilla activists
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among dozens of international campaigners taken by Israeli forces after the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an aid mission attempting to reach Gaza.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the operation on X, saying that “several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,” adding: “Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.” The ministry also released a video showing Thunberg being escorted away by Israeli personnel.
According to Israeli media, including Channel 13, six boats have been intercepted so far, among them the vessel Alma. Reports suggest more interceptions are expected.
Israeli soldiers have boarded the ships and detained many of the activists on board. Those detained would normally go through a legal process, but Israel is currently under near-total shutdown because of the Yom Kippur holiday.
That means courts and prisons are not functioning, creating a limbo for the activists if they are detained.
Ironically, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has continued operating during the holiday, issuing statements on the flotilla.
No evidence has been provided by Israel to substantiate its claim that the flotilla was linked to Hamas.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, organisers of the mission, condemned the interception as an “illegal act of piracy” in international waters. In a statement, the group accused Israel of “kidnapping unarmed people of conscience” and violating international law.
“The flotilla broke no laws. What is unlawful is Israel’s genocide, its deadly blockade of Gaza, its use of starvation as a weapon of war, and the piracy of civilian vessels,” the coalition said.
The group, which has previously attempted to break the Gaza blockade seven times, urged governments to intervene, calling on supporters worldwide to “demand your government cut ties with Israel.”
The incident comes amid heightened global scrutiny of Israel’s blockade on Gaza, which UN experts have described as collective punishment contributing to famine conditions in the territory.